Frustration with Catalina

Maine Sail · Feb 2, 2012

faithforster26@msn.com said:
Hi: I have been trying to order parts from Catalina now for at least one month. Apparently the parts dept.moved from California to Florida. I have made several e-mails and phone calls to ask questions about specific parts for our Catalina 30, 1988. E-mails are not returned, questions are not answered in a clear way and it seem like service is sadly lacking. I would try Catalina Direct but they do not carry the specific turnbuckle that I would like. Also trying to replace my sea-water strainer for the engine cooling system but again, I cannot get a quote or part # from Catalina.
Just wondering if others are having the same issue and looking for recommendations for other parts outlets for our 1988 Catalina.
Many Thanks for any replies,
Faith J Forster

Faith,

Many of those items are not manufactured by Catalina. The strainer should be easy to source and perhaps a better quality strainer, an upgrade, may be in order. The factory turnbuckles should also be available elsewhere. If you give us some pics of what you have I am sure we can help you locate them, and perhaps for less money...

What other parts are you looking for? Other than fiberglass parts etc. very few parts are completely Catalina specific..

mortyd · Feb 2, 2012

if i were you i'd voice my complaints to frank butler, i understand he still answers his phone.

Stu Jackson · Feb 2, 2012

I agree with Maine Sail. Turnbuckles are a rigging item than any local chandlery should be able to provide. The raw water strainers were Sherwood models on our vintage boat, similar to yours. A quick check on the internet for folks like Defender, West Marine or others in your locale, if you are in Canada, should suffice. A potential "knock" on Catalina may not be appropriate.

Stu Jackson · Feb 2, 2012

Catalina 30 stuff

Faith,

I'd bet that the www.catalina30.com folks would be able to help you with the turnbuckles. IIRC, Garhauer also makes those turnbuckles. Call Bill or Guido.

Also, the strainer may, just may, have been replaced by a PO, so no one can know for sure. If your problem is a leak, then maybe it's just the O ring. I've found replacement O rings at a hardware store. If it's the whole assembly, then look online at WM or other chandleries for what you may have in your boat, or consider an upgrade to a bronze unit. Then you'd have to replumb the intake hosing to it and on to the engine.

Anonymous 121765 · Feb 3, 2012

Faith,

Have faith dear.

Catalina phone# in Largo FL. is: 727,544,6681
I live locally and always ask for Warren. He's running around all the time but you can leave a message with the receptionist, Barbie. I've always been able to get parts here.

The California number I always use is: 818,884,7700.
If I have specific questions, I always ask for Kent in engineering. This guy has forgotten more about the boats than most of us know.

Hope this helps..........

CR

jeffmacdonald · Feb 3, 2012

I understand and sometimes it's difficult to get threw. What I do is call them at 727-544-6681 and; here is the important part, ask the girl to "PAGE" Ken (parts manager). He will pick up everytime unless its between 12pm and 1pm EST (lunch). I am going over today if you need me to check on somthing?

Brad on Vashon · Feb 3, 2012

You might try garhauer marine-- I understand they make all the Catalina hardware and rigging-- you can google them in southern Cal. You can source almost everything else as noted in earlier posts

Coriolisbc · Feb 3, 2012

Hi Faith;
Just curious, what # is your 88 Catalina, Mine is #5267, I am just across QC Channel, in Horseshoe Bay, perhaps in the future a few of us could plan group buys from suppliers, George is just a few slips east of us in Sewell's West
Best regards;
Coriolis

jeffmacdonald · Feb 5, 2012

I got to tell you guys; once Ken (parts manager) gets his arms around everything at the Largo plant he will have an almost endless supply of products available. I was in their Friday and was just walking up and down the aisles like a kid in a candy store. You have to imagine almost 40 years of extras in a garage sale setting. Ken is the only one back there with phone, fax and email orders inundating him (and me, the occasional walk in). I don’t want to say this too loud for fear they will realize how cheap they are, but I walked in with a parts list (with Catalina Direct pricing next to each item) and saved more than 50% on a + or - $400 order. I guess my point is that there are many options to either saving on like products or upgrading to improved technology. No matter what I purchase for my boat I go into knowing that 50% of all persons selling items will deal and that’s including West, Defender, Catalina Direct etc. you just have to ask (even if its free shipping, I feel like I have to walk with away with something)?
Just to give you an idea! 150 reefing genoa, brand new. Ken throws it in front of me and says “Catalina tall rig 150 reefing with sunbrella genoa, how about $999”! That was his starting offer!!!! He has over 1,000 sails just sitting in bags that he must sell. I just bought new sails from Banks last year and paid close to $4,500.00 for main & genny it just never occurred to me to me to try them.
If anyone ever needs something and has week or so to wait, I would be glad to run over to the Catalina plant in Largo. Email me!

Dave Groshong · Feb 5, 2012

I'm always happy to help, give me a call

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/

rbmcintire · Feb 9, 2012

Would a turnbuckle cover be a possible solution?
http://www.forespar.com/products/sail-turnbuckle-cover.shtml

longterm · Feb 11, 2012

Coriolisbc said:
Hi Faith;
Just curious, what # is your 88 Catalina, Mine is #5267, I am just across QC Channel, in Horseshoe Bay, perhaps in the future a few of us could plan group buys from suppliers, George is just a few slips east of us in Sewell's West
Best regards;
Coriolis

New owner of a 1990 here... where do I find the # of my boat that you guys reference?

Thanks,

Bob

longterm · Feb 11, 2012

Dave Groshong said:
I'm always happy to help, give me a call

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/

Great company, excellent customer service...

Bob

mortyd · Feb 11, 2012

boat number should be on a plate just below the companionway entrance to the cabin.

Stu Jackson · Feb 11, 2012

HIN

longterm said:
New owner of a 1990 here... where do I find the # of my boat that you guys reference?

Thanks,

Bob

Transom, starboard side up high below the gunwhale.

How to read a HIM (hull identification number) - Google it.

longterm · Feb 11, 2012

Stu Jackson said:
Transom, starboard side up high below the gunwhale.

How to read a HIM (hull identification number) - Google it.

Perfect, thanks; I see that my boat's number I 5861.

Frustration with Catalina

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