Catalina 30 vs O'Day 25

[Tally Ho]

I have found that the extra space that you have in the cockpit of a larger boat actually makes sailing easier and less complicated. In particular, if you have guests or family on board who are not prone to handling the sail controls, the larger cockpit space allows them to be passive without being in the way.

Good point. I work way harder when sailing with wife and friends who don’t work on the boat. Seems like I am always climbing over and around the passengers. I like the social aspects, but I do all the work and it is harder with the cockpit full.

I am much more efficient and sail way easier without others on board (at least those that don’t know how/want to crank on a jib sheet.

I guess a larger cockpit would help…of course, I might just bring more “passengers”, so maybe not.

Greg

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Speaking directly about the Catalina 30, I think it would be very difficult to find a better boat in that size and price range. She is an excellent boat for sailing, size and overall comfort. Not to knock an O'Day 25 in any way, but there is just no comparison between the 2 models. The upgrade is that significant with the Catalina 30.

 

[Steve L22188]

Go for it!
Went from my first boat - an O'Day 240 (24') for 10-12 years to an O'Day 302 (30'). At first it does seem a bit intimidating. But sailboats still sail the same no matter the size - it just takes a couple of sails to get used to bigger lines, bigger rigging, bigger sails, etc. (Chartering a 40-footer in the BVIs was intimidating - for about the first day...then you realize it all works the same way as a smaller boat.)

Yes, it'll take a bit more money for slip fees, insurance, etc. Yes, parts are more expensive for a bigger boat than a smaller boat. But all that extra room is worth every penny.
Especially agree that a bigger cockpit is easier when you have people who can't/don't want to help sail the boat. Find a corner and tell them: "sit here and don't move!" (My wife calls this the "seat of no responsibility.")

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've opted to take a step back since this thread had a surprising number of responses and some amazing feedback. The comparisons many of you posted speak volume and have convinced me that this is a step in the right direction. I sincerely thank you for your responses!

One question I do have going with pedestal steering is how can this boat be single handed from behind the wheel if the lines, traveler and winches are all mounted on the cabin top? I assume one would have to steer from in front of the pedestal?

 

[Calif. Ted]

I assume one would have to steer from in front of the pedestal

Only if the auto pilot is broke, that's why there's a tack button on the AP.

 

[kappykaplan]

I assume one would have to steer from in front of the pedestal?

As @Calif. Ted said, let Otto do the driving.

 

[Stu Jackson]

how can this boat be single handed from behind the wheel if the lines, traveler and winches are all mounted on the cabin top?

No need to reinvent the wheel; you don't become a slave behind the wheel. Most, if not all of my time, is spent in front of the wheel except for docking.

Single Handing 101 Single handing & Bull Rails

 

[Ward H]

Stu's Single Handing 101 is a pretty good read.
A couple of things I did to help with single handing:
First I replaced the main sheet clam cleat with a Spinlock XPR cleat. I can step alongside the helm, pick the main sheet off the starboard bench and with a flick and release and lock the XPR sheet.
Then I installed two Swivel XPR cleats, one each side of the cabin top at the aft edge of the cabin, for the traveler. Those lines are also laid on the benches so I can easily grab them and release/lock the cleat so I can adjust the traveler from beside the helm.
I can tack by starting the tack, then locking the helm, then adjust jib sheets and get back to the helm to retake control. That doesn't always go well but I can do it.

However it is a lot easier using the AP when solo handing for all the reasons mentioned above. I have the Raymarine EV-100 and when I do the two button press for tacking, there is a delay before the boat starts turning. The delay gives me plenty of time to get in front of the helm to handle the lines during the tack.

 

[Davidasailor26]

All good points on the autopilot. But the better analogy to single handing with a tiller is just setting the wheel brake. The wheel brake will let you do quick things around the cockpit without needing to hold the wheel the whole time. Often I’ll use that to trim the main or tidy things up. If I need to make an adjustment from the front of the cockpit I just reach over the pedestal. For any longer time away from the wheel I set the autopilot, but that’s extra functionality beyond just being able to move around the cockpit momentarily.