We are looking at going bigger this coming simmer. We currently sail a Cat22 and are looking at 27footers. I have seen a Gulf 27 pilothouse for a fair price but am unsure. My wife worries that we should stay with Catalinas for parts and resale reasons. I have been blessed with a wife that loves sailing as much as I do. My main question is this: Is there much interior room difference between a Cat 25 and a Cat27 / Cat 27 and a Cat 30? Also, does anyone know anything about Gulf sail boats? Thanks
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Yes
Yes, there is quite a bit of difference, real and perceived in the interior room between Cat 25, Cat 27 and Cat 30. Headroom is the first thing you will notice. While the C25 probably has a pop-top which would get you standing headroom, It's more of a temporary thing. Unless you are well over 6', the C27 will allow you to walk around (admittedly not very far) without banging your head around. The C30 has loads more room inside. As with many things, the bigger the are, the more costs go along with them. Moorage/storage, bottom paint, sails, everything gets more expensive the bigger the vessel. In my opinion, the C27 is a bunch of boat for the money, unless the C30 is in your budget. From a C22 to a C25 is too small a step and you'll be wanting for more too soon. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 (previously Inamorata C27 #6111) Seattle
Yes, there is quite a bit of difference, real and perceived in the interior room between Cat 25, Cat 27 and Cat 30. Headroom is the first thing you will notice. While the C25 probably has a pop-top which would get you standing headroom, It's more of a temporary thing. Unless you are well over 6', the C27 will allow you to walk around (admittedly not very far) without banging your head around. The C30 has loads more room inside. As with many things, the bigger the are, the more costs go along with them. Moorage/storage, bottom paint, sails, everything gets more expensive the bigger the vessel. In my opinion, the C27 is a bunch of boat for the money, unless the C30 is in your budget. From a C22 to a C25 is too small a step and you'll be wanting for more too soon. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 (previously Inamorata C27 #6111) Seattle
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Peter
Stepping up
The Cat 25 has what seems like about 50% more interior room than the 22. The 27 about 15% more than the 25, and the 30 about 40% more than the 27. This is just based on the "feel" of the boats.
The Cat 25 has what seems like about 50% more interior room than the 22. The 27 about 15% more than the 25, and the 30 about 40% more than the 27. This is just based on the "feel" of the boats.
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rgallagher
thanks
Thank you. I was looking at going 27 feet but someone told me the difference between a 25 and 27 is extra cockpit room. I would be afraid if I went to the 25 I would want bigger. I found the Gulf27 pilothouse interesting.
Thank you. I was looking at going 27 feet but someone told me the difference between a 25 and 27 is extra cockpit room. I would be afraid if I went to the 25 I would want bigger. I found the Gulf27 pilothouse interesting.
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Jack
capital yacht
I am no expert but... I looked at the Gulf 29 and loved it. I think it was built by Capital Yacht, the deal didn't work out for me but the reviews from research I did was a positive for the Gulf. There is a big price differance between the Catalina 27 and 30. I would think a a nice/older 27, with a diesel and wheel would sell for 15k while the 30 would bring closer to 30k. You didn't mention money but I would think it would play a roll anyone's your decision. Good luck, Jack
I am no expert but... I looked at the Gulf 29 and loved it. I think it was built by Capital Yacht, the deal didn't work out for me but the reviews from research I did was a positive for the Gulf. There is a big price differance between the Catalina 27 and 30. I would think a a nice/older 27, with a diesel and wheel would sell for 15k while the 30 would bring closer to 30k. You didn't mention money but I would think it would play a roll anyone's your decision. Good luck, Jack
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rgallagher
Thanks Jack
All of the information that I have found has been positive on value and construction on the Gulf 27. My main concern is parts availability for repair. I do not know if there are parts available "off the shelf" from marine parts dealers. I read a lot on this forum about issues finding parts.
All of the information that I have found has been positive on value and construction on the Gulf 27. My main concern is parts availability for repair. I do not know if there are parts available "off the shelf" from marine parts dealers. I read a lot on this forum about issues finding parts.
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Dave
Bigger is better
The best advice I got when I moved up a few years ago was to go as long as I could afford. Don't know your sailing waters, but for Lake Michigan longer meant a safer and more comfortable ride, and more room for family & friends. I was looking at the Catalina 25, but wound up buying a Cat 30 for the same money. I did it by buying a 12 year-old boat rather than buying new as I had planned. Absolutely the right call and I've never looked back. Of course, everything is more expensive with a bigger boat, so you need to figure in higher mooring fees, storage costs, more & larger systems (e.g., I now have 3 batteries to worry about & replace as needed, rather than 1), etc. in deciding what works for you. But I'd buy the biggest boat you can afford.
The best advice I got when I moved up a few years ago was to go as long as I could afford. Don't know your sailing waters, but for Lake Michigan longer meant a safer and more comfortable ride, and more room for family & friends. I was looking at the Catalina 25, but wound up buying a Cat 30 for the same money. I did it by buying a 12 year-old boat rather than buying new as I had planned. Absolutely the right call and I've never looked back. Of course, everything is more expensive with a bigger boat, so you need to figure in higher mooring fees, storage costs, more & larger systems (e.g., I now have 3 batteries to worry about & replace as needed, rather than 1), etc. in deciding what works for you. But I'd buy the biggest boat you can afford.
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Glenn
Bigger
Several years ago my wife and I began thinking about getting back into sailing, having raced small boats 30 plus years ago. We were thinking about what boat and how big, staying at 30' or smaller, as Tim said, bigger cost more, initial investment and up keep. We decided on Catalinas, because of looks and many in the area. Mainly 25 and 27' until we saw a 27 and 30 moored sise by side. The 25 has 8' beam, the 27 is about 9' and the 30 is 10'-10". Also more room in the cockpit. We bought an '84 C30 two years ago and love it. Price and condition will vary greatly. We bought our's for under $25k, with new sails, mast, boom and rigging from deck up. There were others in worse shape for more money. Look around and I'm sure you will find the right one.
Several years ago my wife and I began thinking about getting back into sailing, having raced small boats 30 plus years ago. We were thinking about what boat and how big, staying at 30' or smaller, as Tim said, bigger cost more, initial investment and up keep. We decided on Catalinas, because of looks and many in the area. Mainly 25 and 27' until we saw a 27 and 30 moored sise by side. The 25 has 8' beam, the 27 is about 9' and the 30 is 10'-10". Also more room in the cockpit. We bought an '84 C30 two years ago and love it. Price and condition will vary greatly. We bought our's for under $25k, with new sails, mast, boom and rigging from deck up. There were others in worse shape for more money. Look around and I'm sure you will find the right one.
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Christos
Cat 30 Used Price?
Hi Glenn, I'm looking to buy a 1984 Catalina 30 and am wondering what was your final purchase price vs. the asking price? The advertised prices in my area seem overdone. Thanks for any advice!
Hi Glenn, I'm looking to buy a 1984 Catalina 30 and am wondering what was your final purchase price vs. the asking price? The advertised prices in my area seem overdone. Thanks for any advice!
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Glenn
Final price
Christos: Final price was $2k less than asking. Had it surveyed and value by surveyor was right at the asking price. We looked at several other C30's 82 - 85, this one was in extremely good shape, better than anyother we saw, original engine and interior. We could have looked longer, but felt that this one could not be passed on. I don't know what the market is like there, but if it's like homes, we get more for the money here, so you maybe looking at more for the same boat. Prices here varies from $15k to $35k for '80 - '86 models, some of it is condition and equipment and some is owner's view of what he thinks it's worth.
Christos: Final price was $2k less than asking. Had it surveyed and value by surveyor was right at the asking price. We looked at several other C30's 82 - 85, this one was in extremely good shape, better than anyother we saw, original engine and interior. We could have looked longer, but felt that this one could not be passed on. I don't know what the market is like there, but if it's like homes, we get more for the money here, so you maybe looking at more for the same boat. Prices here varies from $15k to $35k for '80 - '86 models, some of it is condition and equipment and some is owner's view of what he thinks it's worth.
J
J. Wesley House
Cat 27 New Owner
I just bought a 1981 Catalina 27 and love it! We looked hard at the 30, and the room in the 27 is good enough. We have the dinnette model. I am 6-1 and can sleep very comfortable in the port aft 1/4 berth and can even sleep with the wife in the v-berth. Plenty of room without the extra expense or slip fee. Wes
I just bought a 1981 Catalina 27 and love it! We looked hard at the 30, and the room in the 27 is good enough. We have the dinnette model. I am 6-1 and can sleep very comfortable in the port aft 1/4 berth and can even sleep with the wife in the v-berth. Plenty of room without the extra expense or slip fee. Wes
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