If all goes according to plans, in 3 years we'll be retiring to 2-3 years of cruising down the coast of California into the Sea of Cortez, down the coast of Mexico and maybe beyond. One of the boats I'm considering is a Catalina 400. Do you have any experience with one? Maybe there's one in the marina you keep your boat, or maybe you've crewed on one. Any input would be appreciated. When I look in Yachtworld I see enough of them down in Mexico so I know they are capable cruisers, what I'm looking for is input as to can a couple easily handle one, sailing, anchoring, around the marina, are the accommodations below deck such they would lend themselves to long term cruising, how does it sail in light air or heavy air? Thanks for any input you may have. Glenn G
- Status
Like 'em
I sailed a friend's brand new Catalina 400 from Alameda to San Diego a year ago. My impression was the boat handled well in fairly heavy conditions. We had a (fortunately brief) peak of 34 KTS of wind (more often 20-24) and as much as 15 foot breaking seas (more often 8-12 or so) along the Big Sur coastline. Conditions after Pt. Conception were much more subdued. The roller furling main made reducing sail relatively easy. Autopilot was one with a new state of the art rate gyro which REALLY improved its performance. Although there were four of us, the boat could be readily handled by two persons. There are certainly more sea-kindly boats than Catalinas, but they seem like good value for their price range. Can't say much about the below-deck accommodation but then everything seems spacious compared to my 30 footer! Bottom line ... we were favorably impressed. p.s. My friend was NOT a sailor when he bought the boat. Got a call at work asking if I'd sail it to San Diego for him. I asked how big ... ans. 40 feet. Asked how old .... ans. New! Asked about autopilot, radar and other instrumentation ... all top of the line and also new. Had a superb ride down the coast with a couple of other sailing friends plus the owner, and made one stop at Morro Bay. He's since learned to sail and has had the boat out many times including overnight trips to/from Catalina from S.D. Another convert to the sailing life. Gary Kunkel Visalia, CA
I sailed a friend's brand new Catalina 400 from Alameda to San Diego a year ago. My impression was the boat handled well in fairly heavy conditions. We had a (fortunately brief) peak of 34 KTS of wind (more often 20-24) and as much as 15 foot breaking seas (more often 8-12 or so) along the Big Sur coastline. Conditions after Pt. Conception were much more subdued. The roller furling main made reducing sail relatively easy. Autopilot was one with a new state of the art rate gyro which REALLY improved its performance. Although there were four of us, the boat could be readily handled by two persons. There are certainly more sea-kindly boats than Catalinas, but they seem like good value for their price range. Can't say much about the below-deck accommodation but then everything seems spacious compared to my 30 footer! Bottom line ... we were favorably impressed. p.s. My friend was NOT a sailor when he bought the boat. Got a call at work asking if I'd sail it to San Diego for him. I asked how big ... ans. 40 feet. Asked how old .... ans. New! Asked about autopilot, radar and other instrumentation ... all top of the line and also new. Had a superb ride down the coast with a couple of other sailing friends plus the owner, and made one stop at Morro Bay. He's since learned to sail and has had the boat out many times including overnight trips to/from Catalina from S.D. Another convert to the sailing life. Gary Kunkel Visalia, CA
We have friends in Z town on their 400 right now
They have done 2 Ha-Ha's and the Newport Enesada race and done well in class. Nice boat handles well and will out run most (key word most) 42's
They have done 2 Ha-Ha's and the Newport Enesada race and done well in class. Nice boat handles well and will out run most (key word most) 42's
Just What I Was Looking For
Thanks Gary and Dick, that's just the type of information I was hoping to get. Glenn
Thanks Gary and Dick, that's just the type of information I was hoping to get. Glenn
- Status