I am looking to purchase either a used Catalina 27 or 30, and have some questions. I am located in SF, and notice that many of the boats for sale mention new standing rigging, etc. I am curious as to if there are inherent problems with the masts,standing rigging on these boats, The bay here can be rough w/high winds, and just want to make sure these boats are tough enuf for the conditions, or if these upgrades are considered routine. Also, if anyone can point me to info re specific areas of the boat to check carefully, ie inherent problems, weak points, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. thank you
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John J
Cat 27-30
The common refrain from this board will be, get a survey!! The standing rigging is another issue. Based on where you are, strong wind and salt water necessitates more replacement of these parts than if you were on an inland lake. Reading my Catalina owners manual recently I was amazed to see they recommend replacement every three years in salt water.
The common refrain from this board will be, get a survey!! The standing rigging is another issue. Based on where you are, strong wind and salt water necessitates more replacement of these parts than if you were on an inland lake. Reading my Catalina owners manual recently I was amazed to see they recommend replacement every three years in salt water.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Standing rigging
Generally speaking there isn't anything "wrong" with their standing rigging. What you may be seeing are older boats whose rigging *should* be changed every 10 years or so, especially in the Bay area. Now older C27s do have a reputation for their eye-bolt chainplates failing after many years of service. I, unfortunately, experienced that first hand when a shroud popped while sailing. Luckily, tragedy was averted but it did teach me a lesson: don't put off today something that could take your mast down! If you look at older C27s, check out the lowers (well, actually check all of them!) to see if they have the U-bolt upgrade. No big deal if not, the kit is all of $70 from Catalina Direct (although delivery time can try your patience). Also check the upper chainplates which are attached to the bulkheads. What you're actually checking will be the bulkheads cuz if there have been any leaks, the bulkheads can deteriorate, making the chainplates compress into the wood. That would definitley be a costlier repair. I'd probably walk away from that, considering how many boats are for sale down there. So, to make a long story even longer, don't worry about boats that have had their rigging changed. That's a good thing! Doesn't mean the old rigging was inherently bad, just means the owner was really good on upkeep. LaDonna
Generally speaking there isn't anything "wrong" with their standing rigging. What you may be seeing are older boats whose rigging *should* be changed every 10 years or so, especially in the Bay area. Now older C27s do have a reputation for their eye-bolt chainplates failing after many years of service. I, unfortunately, experienced that first hand when a shroud popped while sailing. Luckily, tragedy was averted but it did teach me a lesson: don't put off today something that could take your mast down! If you look at older C27s, check out the lowers (well, actually check all of them!) to see if they have the U-bolt upgrade. No big deal if not, the kit is all of $70 from Catalina Direct (although delivery time can try your patience). Also check the upper chainplates which are attached to the bulkheads. What you're actually checking will be the bulkheads cuz if there have been any leaks, the bulkheads can deteriorate, making the chainplates compress into the wood. That would definitley be a costlier repair. I'd probably walk away from that, considering how many boats are for sale down there. So, to make a long story even longer, don't worry about boats that have had their rigging changed. That's a good thing! Doesn't mean the old rigging was inherently bad, just means the owner was really good on upkeep. LaDonna
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Jeff Walker
Engine considerations...etc.
Check the big ticket items like condition of the engine, hull blisters, mast corrosion etc. If you like the Cat. 30, try to get one with at least a 21 horsepower engine. I don't want to continue the war of gas vs. diesel but the extra horsepower will really help in rough seas and re-sale will be easier. I will repeat the good advice from John and LaDonna, get a complete, out of water survey before you buy. Good luck, Jeff
Check the big ticket items like condition of the engine, hull blisters, mast corrosion etc. If you like the Cat. 30, try to get one with at least a 21 horsepower engine. I don't want to continue the war of gas vs. diesel but the extra horsepower will really help in rough seas and re-sale will be easier. I will repeat the good advice from John and LaDonna, get a complete, out of water survey before you buy. Good luck, Jeff
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Rick
Catalina 30
Hull blisters always seem to be the biggest problem. There have been some isolated cases of fuel tank leaks. Also be aware of any rot at the mast step. On San Francisco Bay, a main in good condition is an absolute necessity on a Catalina 30. They don't sail well in high winds with a baggy main- of course nothing does. Ours' sails beautifully, but was pretty tender before the new main. More than better, it makes it a completely different boat.
Hull blisters always seem to be the biggest problem. There have been some isolated cases of fuel tank leaks. Also be aware of any rot at the mast step. On San Francisco Bay, a main in good condition is an absolute necessity on a Catalina 30. They don't sail well in high winds with a baggy main- of course nothing does. Ours' sails beautifully, but was pretty tender before the new main. More than better, it makes it a completely different boat.
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Ron Koenig
Get engine checked out good.
Make sure that the engine is thoroly checked over by a good mechanic and it is tested under full load conditions for at leat an hour. I bought my 1983 C-30 with an A-4 that started and ran great at the dock but after taking the boat out found several engine problems, one that left us stranded. One problem, a faulty coil, only hapened after the engine ran for over an hour or so The seller agreed to fix all problems and he spent over $500 to fix them. I would have been.
Make sure that the engine is thoroly checked over by a good mechanic and it is tested under full load conditions for at leat an hour. I bought my 1983 C-30 with an A-4 that started and ran great at the dock but after taking the boat out found several engine problems, one that left us stranded. One problem, a faulty coil, only hapened after the engine ran for over an hour or so The seller agreed to fix all problems and he spent over $500 to fix them. I would have been.
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Bob Camarena
Check Inland
You might want to check out C-27's and C-30's in the Delta region. You'll find that fresh water is much kinder than salt. If you compare two similar boats, one from the Bay, and one from somewhere in the Delta like Stockton, the Stockton boat will be in better overall condition (assuming similar vintage and maintenance). If you're buying for the bay, opt for the "standard" rig in either the 27 or the 30. The tall rig is over-kill for the SF Bay and will require you to reef more often. You'll find that either boat will do fine in the Bay assuming it's in good condition although the 30 will be more comfortable being a stiffer boat. I just got back from sailing my 1981 C-30 in the Bay since the end of July and we had a ball.
You might want to check out C-27's and C-30's in the Delta region. You'll find that fresh water is much kinder than salt. If you compare two similar boats, one from the Bay, and one from somewhere in the Delta like Stockton, the Stockton boat will be in better overall condition (assuming similar vintage and maintenance). If you're buying for the bay, opt for the "standard" rig in either the 27 or the 30. The tall rig is over-kill for the SF Bay and will require you to reef more often. You'll find that either boat will do fine in the Bay assuming it's in good condition although the 30 will be more comfortable being a stiffer boat. I just got back from sailing my 1981 C-30 in the Bay since the end of July and we had a ball.
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Richard
I have had both on SF bay
I have owned both a 27 and now a 30 on SF bay. If you want to ask any specific questions feel free to email me at r_clack@hotmail.com. Both are good boats, but the 27 will get you a bit wetter on a normal bay afternoon. A 30 with a dodger will will keep you warmer and drier. A 27 is easy to sail alone and dock, while a 30 can be a bit much to handle. A 27 is cheaper to dock, work on, etc but a 30 has better sleeping accomadations and rides faster/smoother... There is nothing wrong with the rigging on catalinas. You are supposed to replace it every 8 or so years. Some people never change it and get away with it. Richard
I have owned both a 27 and now a 30 on SF bay. If you want to ask any specific questions feel free to email me at r_clack@hotmail.com. Both are good boats, but the 27 will get you a bit wetter on a normal bay afternoon. A 30 with a dodger will will keep you warmer and drier. A 27 is easy to sail alone and dock, while a 30 can be a bit much to handle. A 27 is cheaper to dock, work on, etc but a 30 has better sleeping accomadations and rides faster/smoother... There is nothing wrong with the rigging on catalinas. You are supposed to replace it every 8 or so years. Some people never change it and get away with it. Richard
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Art McGirr
27 Cat is tough!
Check the mast step! My 27 Cat had a die-cast aluminum step and stainless steel screws. When yard steped mast one year,I found 2 of the 4 screws holding. Interior base corroded away from 2 screws. Replaced with s/s base made in machine shop. Although step takes mostly cpmpressive loads and some shear loads, I was lucky mast did not kick out!
Check the mast step! My 27 Cat had a die-cast aluminum step and stainless steel screws. When yard steped mast one year,I found 2 of the 4 screws holding. Interior base corroded away from 2 screws. Replaced with s/s base made in machine shop. Although step takes mostly cpmpressive loads and some shear loads, I was lucky mast did not kick out!
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