Catalina 30 Blue water?

[Jim Patterson]

I am GOing to buy a 30 to 33 foot boat and am almost sold on the catalina 30. There are alot of boats in the 25000 dollar range (what I can afford). How much do you think it would cost and what would you have to do to upgrade the 30 to a blue water boat (anyone done it)? Any thoughts on the best year?

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners]

What's your definition of "blue water"?

Everyone's is a little different. I don't think *I* would ever consider a C30 truly bluewater. Now it would certainly be able to make reasonable voyages but it might just be a lumpy ride!So what are your plans? Trips to Catalina? Mexico? South Pacific? Answers to upgrading would be based on that.Great little boat, BTW.LaDonna

 

[Tom Senator]

Cruising World a couple of months back

had articles on "pocket cruisers" that were under $20,000. They were solid older boats, but there was nothing fancy about them. I agree with LaDonna...you need to define what "bluewater" cruiser means. I think Catalina makes great boats but would I rather be in a heavy discplacement full keeled boat if a storm of any duration hit ? (Like a Swan or a Hinckley)...you bet. Would the Catalina survive- probably but at what cost to the crew -- it is all a matter of degree.Here are a few articles that might help - Choosing the right boat -- http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=harman0007 & or http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=caseyd013 Or a general site with article on cruising http://www.bluewatercruising.com/articles.html

 

[Peter Hine]

Blue Water-Like MX?

Seeing you're from Oceanside, I got to believe you're talking (at least initially) about Mexico. I went on the Baja Haha last year (not on a C30, but there were a couple on the trip). I wouldn't hesitate to take a properly prepared C30 to Cabo. With enough prep, I'd even do it on my C27. A C30 owned by Bill Christoph, an attorney from Oceanside YC did the Cabo/LaPaz trip about 15 years ago and did a great video on it "Baja Passage" - available thru Bennett Marine Video in Marina Del Rey. They talk about upgrades they did, conditions they saw (which paralleled those I saw) Recommend you get that one. Gary and Shirlee Sasenberry (SP?) did a trip from SF thru the Canal to Florida on a C30 about 5-6 years ago with no trouble. Also wrote a book, ("Stargazer's Diary" I believe - I don't remember exactly because I lent my copy to somebody travelling the same route.) GOOD LUCK AND GOOD CRUISING

 

[Tim Pinkham]

Bluewater boat

You may find this book of interest:http://www.bluewaterweb.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/nauticalbooks/prodpages/43288.htm?E+mystore4It speaks to the issue of what makes a boat a bluewater boat. The author even talks about what you would need to do to a C27 to make it a "bluewater boat".-Tim Pinkham