Differences between models?

[sailinggreg]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a new boat and Catalina 27s seem like a great option!

One I've seen is a 1981 Catalina 27 with inboard Universal diesel.

A second one is a 1973 Catalina 27 with a 10hp outboard.

The second one is far away from me so I haven't seen it. Before I buy a plane ticket to go see it, I'm wondering if it would have the same cabin layout as the 1981 model? From pictures I've seen, it looks like one has a settee arrangement in the main salon and the other has two long seats across from each other, running lengthwise.

Can anyone explain why the 1981 has an inboard and the 1973 has an outboard?

What other major differences would there be between the two years?

Thanks!

 

[Stu Jackson]

The Catalina 27 had "options" just like cars!

The inboard engine was an option. The downside to this is that there is horrible access to the stuffing box.

They also had options down below: either a traditional layout or a dinette layout.

Go to www.Catalinayachts.com and click on the archived brochure tab, and scroll down to the Catalina 27 brochures which show the interior options. You may have to register on that website to view them.

Happy hunting.

 

[The Garbone]

One nice thing about the OB on the 27 is it gives you a ton of storage under the companionway. A quiet 4 stroke would be sweet on that boat. The factory engine well is pretty nice setup as you can store flammables behind the tanks and not have to worry about venting. It also attracts obese mermaids if that's your thing.


Our 1974 seems to have a very nice lay up When we had it pulled last year it had no blisters. Our new to us 78 C30 had 16 blisters when we pulled it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Some of the newer four strokes have been reported to not fit in the well. The C27 Association has discussed this in detail.

 

[sailinggreg]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, boats are like cars with lots of different options. And then we personalize them.

One further question: On the Catalina 27 that I was on, the side walkways on deck to go up to the foredeck seemed a bit narrow to me. It could just be that the owner has his spinnaker pole stowed on the side I walked up or that I'm mostly accustomed to sailing on (other people's) larger boats. But last year I raced a lot on a Coronado 25 and never felt uncomfortable going up to pull down the jib. Maybe I was just anxious to get off this guy's smelly boat.

The Catalina 27 I'm thinking of buying has roller furling and lines run aft, but still need to go forward sometimes. Do people talk about a narrow walkway being an issue on the C27?

 

[sailorhokie]

I don't have any issues with the walkways on my Cat 27 Walkways are generally a tradeoff between interior cabin space and walkway width. The cabin space on a Cat 27 is pretty spacious for a 27 foot boat. There is enough space on deck to keep things like a kayak which we keep inside the side stays and still have the walkway.

Josh

 

[Stu Jackson]

The Catalina 27 I'm thinking of buying has roller furling and lines run aft, but still need to go forward sometimes. Do people talk about a narrow walkway being an issue on the C27?

Good one on the smelly boat!

No, most don't care about the sidedecks on boats. Each is different. After a while you get to learn to move properly about, using the shrouds as handholds. On our C34 I tend to face inboard anyway when I go forward, to hold the grabrails on the dodger, then the aft lower, so my butt is outboard and my knees slightly bet out over the top lifeline. You learn not to think of your sidedecks as walking down facing forward like it's a parade ground in Central Park.

 

[The Garbone]

The side decks are wide enough to store Jerry cans and the odd fender, a good thing. I always go over the top to to get forward.

 

[dj2210]

We use to own an 1982' C27. I agree on the narrow side decks of the C27 and usually went forward over the cabin top. Since I'm not as nimble as I once was I would get unbalanced walking the side decks getting tangles in the lines. Although standing on the coach roof I once fell into the cockpit face first. Luckily there was a female passenger to cushion the blow Much better on the C30. The other issue I had was forward headroom as I'm just over 6'. A great sailing boat though. Ours had the A4 inboard and I agree access was a bear.