Hi gang ! My wife and I have been looking at upgrading to a larger roomier boat and have decided on either a 30' Catalina or 30'Hunter. We spent 4 hours recently crewing on a 1979 Hunter 30'. The owner was explainging to us that we should buy a Hunter because it points much closer to windward than a Catalina would. He also said that Catalina's of that age 1975 -1980 have more bottom blisters and stress fratures on the topsides than Hunter boats of about the same age. Trouble is wife (Admiral) and I have found a nice fresh water Catalina and really prefer the looks of the Catalina over the Hunter. Cat. interiors seem larger, brighter and the galley better layed out. Would you please help this land locked sailor feel comfortable with a Catalina purchase ? Thank you ! Jerry and Janet Magnuson Billings, Montana
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Oh PUHLEASE!
As you may shortly discover, owners LOVE their boats and are very protective of the brand they chose. I have a Catalina and love it. Yup, I have blisters and stress fractures but they're typically considered cosmetic and not structural. If you've found a Catalina you like, have it surveyed. If the surveyor gives the thumbs up, go for it. You're the one who will be looking at and loving this boat, so buy the one you like best. The difference in "quality" is subjective at best. Have fun! LaDonna
As you may shortly discover, owners LOVE their boats and are very protective of the brand they chose. I have a Catalina and love it. Yup, I have blisters and stress fractures but they're typically considered cosmetic and not structural. If you've found a Catalina you like, have it surveyed. If the surveyor gives the thumbs up, go for it. You're the one who will be looking at and loving this boat, so buy the one you like best. The difference in "quality" is subjective at best. Have fun! LaDonna
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Jeff Walker
My Cat. 30 points fine
I can typically point 30 degrees off the wind and still make good speed. I am helped by the fact that my mast is raked slightly aft to help in pointing. Blisters are often found on the earlier boats but the owner may have had the bottom stripped and re-sealed which will give you many more years blister free sailing. The Hunter may be a faster boat because all of that Catalina beam and weight tends to slow the boat down. A simple choice between comfort and speed. Good luck, Jeff
I can typically point 30 degrees off the wind and still make good speed. I am helped by the fact that my mast is raked slightly aft to help in pointing. Blisters are often found on the earlier boats but the owner may have had the bottom stripped and re-sealed which will give you many more years blister free sailing. The Hunter may be a faster boat because all of that Catalina beam and weight tends to slow the boat down. A simple choice between comfort and speed. Good luck, Jeff
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Paul
Not from my experience...
I was looking at C27s last year, not C30s but I did not find blisters or stress fractures to a problem at all. I was actually surprised how good a condition they were in and I looked at quite a few in that age group. Paul Emley Catalina 27 "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver,B.C., Canada
I was looking at C27s last year, not C30s but I did not find blisters or stress fractures to a problem at all. I was actually surprised how good a condition they were in and I looked at quite a few in that age group. Paul Emley Catalina 27 "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver,B.C., Canada
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Paul
Not from my experience...
I was looking at C27s last year, not C30s but I did not find blisters or stress fractures to a problem at all. I was actually surprised how good a condition they were in and I looked at quite a few in that age group. Paul Emley Catalina 27 "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver,B.C., Canada
I was looking at C27s last year, not C30s but I did not find blisters or stress fractures to a problem at all. I was actually surprised how good a condition they were in and I looked at quite a few in that age group. Paul Emley Catalina 27 "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver,B.C., Canada
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Bob Camarena
If you like the C-30, Go for it!
I agree with the other posts. I've never heard of Hunters having anything over the Catalinas, it's all personal preference. My '81 C-30 points just fine and, although it has blisters, they're relatively small and every year that I pull it out, there are fewer to fix. If you like the style of the Catalina over the Hunter, go with what you like.
I agree with the other posts. I've never heard of Hunters having anything over the Catalinas, it's all personal preference. My '81 C-30 points just fine and, although it has blisters, they're relatively small and every year that I pull it out, there are fewer to fix. If you like the style of the Catalina over the Hunter, go with what you like.
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Les Blues
My Experience
My boat has had some blistering which I have had fixed and there are some spider cracks on the topsides. I will start to tackle that next year. After all, a boat is a never ending project. Overall I am happy about the structure and condition - that is because I had a good survey and discounted the possiblility of having to have some work done when I negotiated the price. As to pointing, I find it points well but have never bothered to determine the exact number of degrees. I am a cruiser, not a racer so comfort and the journey are the most important factors.
My boat has had some blistering which I have had fixed and there are some spider cracks on the topsides. I will start to tackle that next year. After all, a boat is a never ending project. Overall I am happy about the structure and condition - that is because I had a good survey and discounted the possiblility of having to have some work done when I negotiated the price. As to pointing, I find it points well but have never bothered to determine the exact number of degrees. I am a cruiser, not a racer so comfort and the journey are the most important factors.
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P&J
We chose Catalina
Same dilema for us,whether to go with Hunter or Catalina. We chose Catalina for the following reasons-heavier boat with the Catalina(Hunters have too much side slippage and Catalina pointed up into the wind better). Our Catalina had a larger engine than a comparable Hunter. The aft birth on our Catalina was roomier than the Hunter. We felt the Catalina was a better built boat overall than the Hunter,although the Hunter overall has a nicer interior than the Catalina by using more teak. Good luck in your decision. It will boil down to what you feel comfortable with-try both the Hunter and Catilina out.
Same dilema for us,whether to go with Hunter or Catalina. We chose Catalina for the following reasons-heavier boat with the Catalina(Hunters have too much side slippage and Catalina pointed up into the wind better). Our Catalina had a larger engine than a comparable Hunter. The aft birth on our Catalina was roomier than the Hunter. We felt the Catalina was a better built boat overall than the Hunter,although the Hunter overall has a nicer interior than the Catalina by using more teak. Good luck in your decision. It will boil down to what you feel comfortable with-try both the Hunter and Catilina out.
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Steve Franklin
Should you go to C or should you go to H?
My 79 C30 points just fine. I have some small blisters that will get taken care of eventually. The stress cracks, are not a concern. They haven't gotten any bigger in the 3 years I've owned the boat. They will also get taken care of eventually. The C30 turned my admiral from a boat loather to a boat lover. She never spent one night (in 4 years) on our San Juan 23. Now she talks about taking the summer and cruising to Alaska and back (from Seattle). If you haven't crewed on a C30 yet, DO IT. Plenty of folks would love to educate you on the virtues of the C30. I've had tremendous support from the factory on a number of questions. We (and you can't imagine how much I enjoy saying "we") really love our boat. My parents also owned a 75 or 76 C30 for several years. My dad is pretty particular about his boats. I don't recall hearing him ever complain. Good luck in your search! If you would like to correspond more, drop me an e-mail.
My 79 C30 points just fine. I have some small blisters that will get taken care of eventually. The stress cracks, are not a concern. They haven't gotten any bigger in the 3 years I've owned the boat. They will also get taken care of eventually. The C30 turned my admiral from a boat loather to a boat lover. She never spent one night (in 4 years) on our San Juan 23. Now she talks about taking the summer and cruising to Alaska and back (from Seattle). If you haven't crewed on a C30 yet, DO IT. Plenty of folks would love to educate you on the virtues of the C30. I've had tremendous support from the factory on a number of questions. We (and you can't imagine how much I enjoy saying "we") really love our boat. My parents also owned a 75 or 76 C30 for several years. My dad is pretty particular about his boats. I don't recall hearing him ever complain. Good luck in your search! If you would like to correspond more, drop me an e-mail.
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Mark R.
Go with the Cat
I just took a week-long sailing class at J-world in San Diego. Our instructor was an olympic class sailor with tons of experience. I own a 34' Catalina and, although our instructor characterized it as the "Chevrolet" of boats, he said he would not set foot on a Hunter. They are much cheaper and I've heard nightmare stories about them when in a strong wind. I am entirely satisfied with the Cat, make sure you do your homework if you opt for the Hunter.
I just took a week-long sailing class at J-world in San Diego. Our instructor was an olympic class sailor with tons of experience. I own a 34' Catalina and, although our instructor characterized it as the "Chevrolet" of boats, he said he would not set foot on a Hunter. They are much cheaper and I've heard nightmare stories about them when in a strong wind. I am entirely satisfied with the Cat, make sure you do your homework if you opt for the Hunter.
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jim reed
read "Catalina 310 engine panel" post below
want to read about Catalina quality control? read the "Catalina 310 engine panel" post below this one. Especially note the non-existent help from the dealer that already 'closed his doors'. Good luck with Cat! (you'll need lots!)
want to read about Catalina quality control? read the "Catalina 310 engine panel" post below this one. Especially note the non-existent help from the dealer that already 'closed his doors'. Good luck with Cat! (you'll need lots!)
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John J.
C310 Control Panel
To Jim Reed: Jim, let me add a little defense for Catalina. First, most of my issues were with the dealer. I guess the fact he sold to someone else should be a good indication that he was in over his head in the boating business. I have had many questions via phone or e-mail with Catalina, and generally they have been very helpfull. Overall we are very happy with the boat. The loss of power to the panel and engine turned out to be a wire that corroded through. Once I found it, it took about 20 minutes to fix. My guess is it was a bad connector when the engine was built by Unisersal, not Catalina. And an answer to the thread "does this boat point" we can easily get within 30 deg. of the wind.
To Jim Reed: Jim, let me add a little defense for Catalina. First, most of my issues were with the dealer. I guess the fact he sold to someone else should be a good indication that he was in over his head in the boating business. I have had many questions via phone or e-mail with Catalina, and generally they have been very helpfull. Overall we are very happy with the boat. The loss of power to the panel and engine turned out to be a wire that corroded through. Once I found it, it took about 20 minutes to fix. My guess is it was a bad connector when the engine was built by Unisersal, not Catalina. And an answer to the thread "does this boat point" we can easily get within 30 deg. of the wind.
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John Buckham
No problems here
Hunter or Catalina? They are both good boats, can’t go wrong with either. The most important thing is condition; have the boat surveyed before you buy. A hunter is great shape is a better boat than a rough Catalina and vice-versa. Hunter seems to have more “dock appeal” somehow; the Catalina has a more classic look. My ’77 #918 doesn’t seem to have many blisters at all. Each time when I pull the boat the number seems to be about the same. I’ve had a few problems; the Catalina factory has always been there to help with advice or parts. My C-30 points to 30 degrees with no problem and still makes good way.
Hunter or Catalina? They are both good boats, can’t go wrong with either. The most important thing is condition; have the boat surveyed before you buy. A hunter is great shape is a better boat than a rough Catalina and vice-versa. Hunter seems to have more “dock appeal” somehow; the Catalina has a more classic look. My ’77 #918 doesn’t seem to have many blisters at all. Each time when I pull the boat the number seems to be about the same. I’ve had a few problems; the Catalina factory has always been there to help with advice or parts. My C-30 points to 30 degrees with no problem and still makes good way.
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