After 19 years of ownership we have sold our 1985 Catalina 30 and moved up toa Catalina MKII 42. I just felt the need to express what a fantastic boat our 30 was and will continue to be. Her reliability and tremendous sailing ability make this boat, in my opinion, one of the best. If you are looking for a sailboat in this size range, do not hesitate. We had meticulously maintained our 30 and I am sure there are many other out there like ours. We had 19 years of joy with out boat. And, we are pleased to know the new owner has wonderful plans for her. I cannot recommend this model enough. Simple to maintain, a pleasure to sail, and stability and strength when you need it. I am sure the upgraded, newer versions are wonderful boats. But, if you have a budget, and want a large 30', consider these older models. You will not be disappointed.
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Nice tribute
Its a pleasure to hear Catalina owners talk about there boats with such passion. I have owned a C380 for 12 months ( La Mouette ) and she is part of the family. I am very passionate also and anything she needs, she gets. I have put her through some rough weather ( 45 Knots ) and she never let me down, I think I was more worried than she was. I am sure you will love your C42 just as much. Hopefully one day I will get another Catalina, but I will find it very hard saying goodbye to La Mouette. Happy and safe sailing. Wayne
Its a pleasure to hear Catalina owners talk about there boats with such passion. I have owned a C380 for 12 months ( La Mouette ) and she is part of the family. I am very passionate also and anything she needs, she gets. I have put her through some rough weather ( 45 Knots ) and she never let me down, I think I was more worried than she was. I am sure you will love your C42 just as much. Hopefully one day I will get another Catalina, but I will find it very hard saying goodbye to La Mouette. Happy and safe sailing. Wayne
Ditto Your 30 Comments
Katie... Ditto your thoughts re our Catalina's. Nothing wrong with posting our issues and insisting that the dealers and Catalina do their job, which i do, but we need more posts like yours to provide a balanced perspective. And on balance most dealers and Catalina do do the right thing, in my experience. I have owned a C22, C25 and just recently purchased a new C350 that is just a great handling boat, even/especially in a blow with no crew. Good luck with your 42.
Katie... Ditto your thoughts re our Catalina's. Nothing wrong with posting our issues and insisting that the dealers and Catalina do their job, which i do, but we need more posts like yours to provide a balanced perspective. And on balance most dealers and Catalina do do the right thing, in my experience. I have owned a C22, C25 and just recently purchased a new C350 that is just a great handling boat, even/especially in a blow with no crew. Good luck with your 42.
Hail the 30!
Katie. Great praise for the 30. We have owned our 1988 30 now for almost two years and are very satisfied with her. Our plan is to take "Breezin II" to the ICW and spend a year exploring the coastal states onboard both inside and outside the ditch. I believe that the 30 is the perfect vessel for this trip. With shallow "winged keel", spacious interior and Universal power, its a great balance of size and performance for this trip. One of the greatest attractions is the vast support system of owners, dealers and parts availablity that always add that extra bit of confidence and security underway. We will start our journey in Savannah, GA and make our way north to Providence, RI and then back to Florida. Indeed the 30 has been tested and put through every challenge since hull no. 1 left the factory and has won the praises of many. Enjoy your 42. Bob
Katie. Great praise for the 30. We have owned our 1988 30 now for almost two years and are very satisfied with her. Our plan is to take "Breezin II" to the ICW and spend a year exploring the coastal states onboard both inside and outside the ditch. I believe that the 30 is the perfect vessel for this trip. With shallow "winged keel", spacious interior and Universal power, its a great balance of size and performance for this trip. One of the greatest attractions is the vast support system of owners, dealers and parts availablity that always add that extra bit of confidence and security underway. We will start our journey in Savannah, GA and make our way north to Providence, RI and then back to Florida. Indeed the 30 has been tested and put through every challenge since hull no. 1 left the factory and has won the praises of many. Enjoy your 42. Bob
30 Perfection
Our 1983 Catalina 30 Tall Rig "WindSong III" is perfect! We have updated rigging, refurbished sails, added new fabric salon cushions and have every system working! We will add interior air conditioning and new windows next spring and express our thanks to the previous owner who kept up with keeping the Catalina 30 ship shape. 30's are easy to work and a pleasure to sail? We want to study replacing the teak. Good Luck, with your upgrade staying with Catalina design.
Our 1983 Catalina 30 Tall Rig "WindSong III" is perfect! We have updated rigging, refurbished sails, added new fabric salon cushions and have every system working! We will add interior air conditioning and new windows next spring and express our thanks to the previous owner who kept up with keeping the Catalina 30 ship shape. 30's are easy to work and a pleasure to sail? We want to study replacing the teak. Good Luck, with your upgrade staying with Catalina design.
Old Boat ... 
My 30 is Hull #10 built in 1975. She's been my faithful friend since 1995. She hasn't had the best of care, she needs to have her deck and topsides refinished and a few other items taken care of. I lived aboard for 5 years and raced her in SF Bay. She's never failed me although I've neglected her at times. She's been raced hard in 30-40 knots winds and never complained. She doesn't like to surf, but even when pushed hard (12knots) she didn't broach or spit her rig off the side. Befana is out of the water for the winter. This is the first long rest she's had in 30 years. She'll have a new bottom and topsides before she comes out to play again. I don't know that I could part with her. She's not the fastest, or the prettiest but like good wine and good women she seems to improve with age. The younger gals might be fun for a weekend, but I'm not leaving Befana anytime soon. Maybe for a C42 2 cabin pullman ...
My 30 is Hull #10 built in 1975. She's been my faithful friend since 1995. She hasn't had the best of care, she needs to have her deck and topsides refinished and a few other items taken care of. I lived aboard for 5 years and raced her in SF Bay. She's never failed me although I've neglected her at times. She's been raced hard in 30-40 knots winds and never complained. She doesn't like to surf, but even when pushed hard (12knots) she didn't broach or spit her rig off the side. Befana is out of the water for the winter. This is the first long rest she's had in 30 years. She'll have a new bottom and topsides before she comes out to play again. I don't know that I could part with her. She's not the fastest, or the prettiest but like good wine and good women she seems to improve with age. The younger gals might be fun for a weekend, but I'm not leaving Befana anytime soon. Maybe for a C42 2 cabin pullman ...
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