Thats a big question
Is the Cat 30 a capable offshore (blue-water)cruiser? Thats the 64K question amongst so many of us. No offense to my fellow 30 sailors, but I personally believe that the answer lies more in the talent and guts of the sailor then the seaworthiness of the vessel. Your looking at the ratio's and righting moments and that data might provide a certian confidence level; however, and I do feel that the Catalina as a blue water long distance cruiser was not constructed to take any continuous punishment the open ocean environment can dole out. I got a reality check when I sailed well offshore from Pensacola to Mobile a few years ago on a 1985 30 Catalina with a friend and were in 8+ foot seas all day. She held her footing, but everytime the bow hit, the whole boat shook and I thought she was going to split open. Multiply that by a few hundred times! This was no Westsail or Island Packet! That resonating sound thru the boat of thin fiberglass forward hitting the waves, coupled with the vibration from the deck stepped mast had us wondering how well she would hold up. The boat faired better then we did! When inspecting the standing rigging, stepped mast,lack of backing plates on thru deck fittings (check the winches - simply washers), chainplates tied to teak bulkheads, coupled with a huge cabin opening intended to keep the cabin airy, etc, etc, I do not believe she was intended for any blue water long distance cruising. Without stuctural changes I would not know how to modify a 30 for serious blue water work. If your going to sail out of Galveston, play in the gulf and perhaps venture across in good weather to Florida, as a coastal cruiser you cannot do better then the 30. We bought our Catalina 30 (88 model) with the purpose of cruising the ICW and going offshore for limited trips. We feel our winged keel model, tall rig, great amenities, liveable space and an incredible support group made her a wise investment for our needs. Turning east and heading to the Azores is the last thing I would consider. If its blue water open ocean sailing your seeking, I would kick it up a few notches from the Catalina 30.BobBreezin II