I am about to move and am very interested in a 30 foot boat. In my research I have found that the Catalina is the best choice for me and my family. I am having some problems though with the differences between a tall mast and standard. I will be purchasing an older boat '70 or early '80. How much difference is there in these two rigs?
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Hi Mitch, The hull of the Catalina 30's are all the same specs. The tall rig (and tall rig w/ bow sprit) just has a 2 foot taller mast, which translates to more sq. ft. of sail area in the main and genoa. This would be preferred if racing. I can't think of any other "differences" between these models. I believe the earlier models you are looking at only came in a fin keel. Later years had other keel options. There is a history on the C-30 and the different models at www.catalina30.com If you want more input, let us know how you will use the boat...will you be racing or just cruising. Where will you sail?...what are the normal winds, what about water depths? Good luck in your search, its a great boat.
Hi Mitch, The hull of the Catalina 30's are all the same specs. The tall rig (and tall rig w/ bow sprit) just has a 2 foot taller mast, which translates to more sq. ft. of sail area in the main and genoa. This would be preferred if racing. I can't think of any other "differences" between these models. I believe the earlier models you are looking at only came in a fin keel. Later years had other keel options. There is a history on the C-30 and the different models at www.catalina30.com If you want more input, let us know how you will use the boat...will you be racing or just cruising. Where will you sail?...what are the normal winds, what about water depths? Good luck in your search, its a great boat.
Catalina 30
Catalina adds 2 feet to the mast on all of their "Tall Rigs". Some models have other differences between the tall mast, and the standard. The C30 Tall Rig has a 2 foot taller mast, and a longer "J" by adding the bowsprit (only the tall rig has a bowsprit from the factory). The fore stay attaches to the end of the bowsprit instead of the bow adding to the J measurement. Some other differences (may not be on C30): the boom mounts 1 foot lower (C25) adding 3 feet to the "P" (main sail luff), boom is 1 foot longer adding 1 foot to the "E" measurement (mainsail foot) (C36).
Catalina adds 2 feet to the mast on all of their "Tall Rigs". Some models have other differences between the tall mast, and the standard. The C30 Tall Rig has a 2 foot taller mast, and a longer "J" by adding the bowsprit (only the tall rig has a bowsprit from the factory). The fore stay attaches to the end of the bowsprit instead of the bow adding to the J measurement. Some other differences (may not be on C30): the boom mounts 1 foot lower (C25) adding 3 feet to the "P" (main sail luff), boom is 1 foot longer adding 1 foot to the "E" measurement (mainsail foot) (C36).
tall rigs
I don't have numbers for the C30 because their website is currently absolutely worthless.... but I can give you a C27 example. The tall rig has a taller mast but a shorter boom than the standard rig, giving the mainsail a higher ratio between luff and foot. Bottom line is that the mainsail is actually smaller than that of a standard rig. The difference is in the foretriangle. With the bowsprit accommodating the longer forestay all three sides of the foretriangle are larger than the standard. The end result is the tall rig allows a larger headsail and total overall sail area. Approx. sail area for the standard rig main/jib is 150/190 sf total 340sf. For the tall rig main/jib it's 144/220s total 364sf. Because the tall rig has more sail area forward and higher it makes for a faster boat in light air. Please correct me if I'm mistaken but in class racing tall rigs aren't allowed to use spinnakers. Again, this is a C27 example.... but the principles are the same.
I don't have numbers for the C30 because their website is currently absolutely worthless.... but I can give you a C27 example. The tall rig has a taller mast but a shorter boom than the standard rig, giving the mainsail a higher ratio between luff and foot. Bottom line is that the mainsail is actually smaller than that of a standard rig. The difference is in the foretriangle. With the bowsprit accommodating the longer forestay all three sides of the foretriangle are larger than the standard. The end result is the tall rig allows a larger headsail and total overall sail area. Approx. sail area for the standard rig main/jib is 150/190 sf total 340sf. For the tall rig main/jib it's 144/220s total 364sf. Because the tall rig has more sail area forward and higher it makes for a faster boat in light air. Please correct me if I'm mistaken but in class racing tall rigs aren't allowed to use spinnakers. Again, this is a C27 example.... but the principles are the same.
An advantage of the Tall Rig
is the ancor arrangement. The bowsprit on the tall rig has ancor rollers on it allows for you to keep the ancor on deck for storage. I like my tall rig for that reason. I sail on the Chesapeake Bay area and we are known for light winds in the summer. My boat is a 1990 Catalina 30 MKII Tall Rig Bow Sprit. I love the set up and I do have the wing keel (it only draws 3'10"). I think that this is the ideal setup for my region.
is the ancor arrangement. The bowsprit on the tall rig has ancor rollers on it allows for you to keep the ancor on deck for storage. I like my tall rig for that reason. I sail on the Chesapeake Bay area and we are known for light winds in the summer. My boat is a 1990 Catalina 30 MKII Tall Rig Bow Sprit. I love the set up and I do have the wing keel (it only draws 3'10"). I think that this is the ideal setup for my region.
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