I am looking to move up to a C30 and I singelhand most of the time. Do you think the MKII version with the "T" cockpit makes that a lot easier than the original layout?
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The T shape is nice
Stephen, the Mkk II is a nice upgrade and usually reflected with a 3-5k cost increment. It is very nice to have for steering when heeled over and visibility. I don't think it will have significant impact on ease of single handing vs the MK I. The Mk II will be a factor in resale. A boat of that age is likely to have many areas which could be marginal. A good clean solid 1986 will be preferable to a rough 1988. Get a comprehensive survey. it is a terrific boat. good luck
Stephen, the Mkk II is a nice upgrade and usually reflected with a 3-5k cost increment. It is very nice to have for steering when heeled over and visibility. I don't think it will have significant impact on ease of single handing vs the MK I. The Mk II will be a factor in resale. A boat of that age is likely to have many areas which could be marginal. A good clean solid 1986 will be preferable to a rough 1988. Get a comprehensive survey. it is a terrific boat. good luck
mark II upgrades
The mark II had many upgrades in addition to the T cockpit. Go to http://www.catalina30.com/ and you can see many of the upgrades. One of my preferred items was the newer Universal engine became standard (I think) the 25xp has 21hp. Holly and teak interior and many others. Good luck in your search.
The mark II had many upgrades in addition to the T cockpit. Go to http://www.catalina30.com/ and you can see many of the upgrades. One of my preferred items was the newer Universal engine became standard (I think) the 25xp has 21hp. Holly and teak interior and many others. Good luck in your search.
As far as single handing goes
there should be NO difference. The issue with SH is to have the lines led aft, an easy reefing system and an autopilot, unless you are so good at sail trim that you can use the wheel brake (only tightened halfway). If there's a tiller, it's even better because you can use John Letchers self steering with lines as an autopilot. If you don't want to go back to the dark ages, then by all means buy an autopilot, which, BTW, will teach you good sail trim.
Either boat should do just fine. In addition to all the get-a-good-survey suggestions you may hear, the one thing I would look for in an older C30 is an upgraded traveler. If it has the old curved track and/or one with only a 3:1 purchase, it will be almost impossible to adjust. It's relatively in expensive to replace with a new Garhauer traveler system. Roller furling would be nice, but not absolutely necessary, since you can install a jib downhaul line, heave to starting on port tack, and then bring the jib down on deck all nicely self-folded. I singlehanded our C25 for 11 years and our current C34 for the past eight. I find that with our boat, and the cockpit layout of a C30, that especially with an autopilot you will find yourself in front of the wheel more often than not once you've set a course and are sailing. Install the autopilot control head where you can reach it from both sides of the wheel (front and back) or else you'll become a slave to being behind the wheel. You'll find that location limiting and boring after a while, since it's further from the center of fore and aft movement of the boat (which is generally around the entry to the companionway). Go for it, you'll love it.
there should be NO difference. The issue with SH is to have the lines led aft, an easy reefing system and an autopilot, unless you are so good at sail trim that you can use the wheel brake (only tightened halfway). If there's a tiller, it's even better because you can use John Letchers self steering with lines as an autopilot. If you don't want to go back to the dark ages, then by all means buy an autopilot, which, BTW, will teach you good sail trim.
Either boat should do just fine. In addition to all the get-a-good-survey suggestions you may hear, the one thing I would look for in an older C30 is an upgraded traveler. If it has the old curved track and/or one with only a 3:1 purchase, it will be almost impossible to adjust. It's relatively in expensive to replace with a new Garhauer traveler system. Roller furling would be nice, but not absolutely necessary, since you can install a jib downhaul line, heave to starting on port tack, and then bring the jib down on deck all nicely self-folded. I singlehanded our C25 for 11 years and our current C34 for the past eight. I find that with our boat, and the cockpit layout of a C30, that especially with an autopilot you will find yourself in front of the wheel more often than not once you've set a course and are sailing. Install the autopilot control head where you can reach it from both sides of the wheel (front and back) or else you'll become a slave to being behind the wheel. You'll find that location limiting and boring after a while, since it's further from the center of fore and aft movement of the boat (which is generally around the entry to the companionway). Go for it, you'll love it.Mark II is wonderful!
Stephen, I am docked at Lake Lanier and have a 1988 Mark II Catalina 30. Its equipped with the Dutch Stack-Pac and Lazy Jacks for single handling. I am over at Sunrise Marina. The "T" cockpit improvement allows for greater movement over the prior configuration. Getting in front of the wheel quicker for tack changes is faster as the jib sheet winches are too far forward in the cockpit. The old "lanier two-step" (constant tacking) does provide a workout. The Mark II interior improvements as well as the wing-keel option is wonderful. We are very pleased with our boat (Breezin II) and are planning an ICW run in a few years with it. If you found one for sale on Lanier, your lucky! Let me know if you need anything else. Bob
Stephen, I am docked at Lake Lanier and have a 1988 Mark II Catalina 30. Its equipped with the Dutch Stack-Pac and Lazy Jacks for single handling. I am over at Sunrise Marina. The "T" cockpit improvement allows for greater movement over the prior configuration. Getting in front of the wheel quicker for tack changes is faster as the jib sheet winches are too far forward in the cockpit. The old "lanier two-step" (constant tacking) does provide a workout. The Mark II interior improvements as well as the wing-keel option is wonderful. We are very pleased with our boat (Breezin II) and are planning an ICW run in a few years with it. If you found one for sale on Lanier, your lucky! Let me know if you need anything else. Bob
thanks...
Thanks guys for the replys. I had not really considered (or thought that I would need) an autopoilot for the lake, but it would come in handy. Bob, I have not found a MKII at Lanier...yet, but I am looking. I have decided on that model so if you know of an opportunity please e-mail me at sakruse@bellsouth.net While I owned my Capri 26, I kept it at Sunrise Cove and really liked that marina - 1st class. What dock are you on ? When I am out there I'll stop by and say hello.
Thanks guys for the replys. I had not really considered (or thought that I would need) an autopoilot for the lake, but it would come in handy. Bob, I have not found a MKII at Lanier...yet, but I am looking. I have decided on that model so if you know of an opportunity please e-mail me at sakruse@bellsouth.net While I owned my Capri 26, I kept it at Sunrise Cove and really liked that marina - 1st class. What dock are you on ? When I am out there I'll stop by and say hello.
Sunrise Cove
Stephen. A 30 Catalina at Sunrise (sold months ago) was equipped with GPS and autopilot. Although very impressive, I had to ask about the initial investment of that gear for Lake Lanier! With powerboat traffic, club racing and short tacks, I question installing that gear over the need to be more "hands on" and attentive to Lanier traffic. This past weekend I took evasive action several times to give wide berth to a houseboat and cabin cruiser to minimize impact by heavy wakes. We know they do not slow down! Take a look at Snugharborboats.Com site where Anne has a 30 Catalina for sale now. Its not an 88 though. We are on I dock (the only 30) with pacific blue sunbrella deck and bow sprit cover. We try to get up there every weekend. Stop on by some time. Bob
Stephen. A 30 Catalina at Sunrise (sold months ago) was equipped with GPS and autopilot. Although very impressive, I had to ask about the initial investment of that gear for Lake Lanier! With powerboat traffic, club racing and short tacks, I question installing that gear over the need to be more "hands on" and attentive to Lanier traffic. This past weekend I took evasive action several times to give wide berth to a houseboat and cabin cruiser to minimize impact by heavy wakes. We know they do not slow down! Take a look at Snugharborboats.Com site where Anne has a 30 Catalina for sale now. Its not an 88 though. We are on I dock (the only 30) with pacific blue sunbrella deck and bow sprit cover. We try to get up there every weekend. Stop on by some time. Bob
Bob
Bob, I did look at the C30 that Snug Harbor has listed. I passed on it since it had the "old" cockpit layout..MKI vintage, although it was in very good shape. I'll keep looking. Many thanks.
Bob, I did look at the C30 that Snug Harbor has listed. I passed on it since it had the "old" cockpit layout..MKI vintage, although it was in very good shape. I'll keep looking. Many thanks.
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