I currently own a Cat 30, and am wondering if anyone knows or has heard of anyone sailing a Catalina 30 5'3" draft to the carribean islands south of Puerto Rico? Think it's a stretch?
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how far
Two years ago or so I met a Catalina owner that had sailed his boat from San Francisco to Baja twice and to Hawaii and back. He was now ready to sail down the coast of Mexico alone. He was a happy Catalina 30 owner.
Two years ago or so I met a Catalina owner that had sailed his boat from San Francisco to Baja twice and to Hawaii and back. He was now ready to sail down the coast of Mexico alone. He was a happy Catalina 30 owner.
'27 Around the World
I've read about one guy who sailed a '27 around the world, but only after extensive modification to the rig to beef it up. Remember that the C30 isn't designed for long distance open water sailing; at a minimum you'd want to check the rig to make sure it's solid, including the attachments of the bulkheads to the interior hull. Also remember that the main hatch is huge and would allow a tremendous amount of water to enter the cabin very quickly in the event of a knockdown.
I've read about one guy who sailed a '27 around the world, but only after extensive modification to the rig to beef it up. Remember that the C30 isn't designed for long distance open water sailing; at a minimum you'd want to check the rig to make sure it's solid, including the attachments of the bulkheads to the interior hull. Also remember that the main hatch is huge and would allow a tremendous amount of water to enter the cabin very quickly in the event of a knockdown.
A shared concern... Eager for more info...
I share the same concern re: the bulkheads and the structure -- any suggestions on how to "beef" it up? Also, I never gave thought to the capanionway -- it is a huge opening -- again, any thoughts? I have replaced the back stay and upper shrouds, and will replace the factory Hood furler with real reefing/furling gear along with a new forestay. I also have new sails. Is this what you are referring to the rig as being solid? I'm concerned about the hull and the keel joint -- I have had the Catalina smile fixed and put in backing plates on the forward keel bolts, but still concerned about its integrity. I love the way she sails -- even as beamy as she is, she is extremely stable -- I'm very surprised at the way she heaves-to as well... Any further insight would be extremely helpful. Rgds, -Chuck
I share the same concern re: the bulkheads and the structure -- any suggestions on how to "beef" it up? Also, I never gave thought to the capanionway -- it is a huge opening -- again, any thoughts? I have replaced the back stay and upper shrouds, and will replace the factory Hood furler with real reefing/furling gear along with a new forestay. I also have new sails. Is this what you are referring to the rig as being solid? I'm concerned about the hull and the keel joint -- I have had the Catalina smile fixed and put in backing plates on the forward keel bolts, but still concerned about its integrity. I love the way she sails -- even as beamy as she is, she is extremely stable -- I'm very surprised at the way she heaves-to as well... Any further insight would be extremely helpful. Rgds, -Chuck
More Info
I'm no expert and I'm not advocating using the C30 for long distance open water sailing (I'm also not an attorney but thought the "disclaimer" sounded nice!). I sail mine to Catalina Island which is about 26 miles across open water (more or less) and she sails just great. All that said, take a look at John Vigor's book, "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take you Anywhere" which summarizes the modifications made to the C27 for circumnavigation, and talks about various other boats and their favorable characteristics for open water navigation. Also check out Practical Sailor's Boat Buying Guide covering the C27 and C30 for discussions of the strong and weak points of these boats. In general regarding the rig, beyond the normal checking of stays and shrouds, turnbuckles etc. for wear, you want to check the chainplates -- both connection at deck and to bulkheads; make sure you have the u-bolt conversion on the lower shrouds (as opposed to the eye-bolt); check the bulkhead connections to the hull; look for deck deflection under the mast; and check the mast step/wooden block in the bilge for softness/rot. Deck deflection can be livable if it's not too extreme and there is no cracking of the deck; problems with the bilge mast step need to be repaired with penetrating epoxy or replacement. Catalina has great diagrams on both repairs. Good luck. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
I'm no expert and I'm not advocating using the C30 for long distance open water sailing (I'm also not an attorney but thought the "disclaimer" sounded nice!). I sail mine to Catalina Island which is about 26 miles across open water (more or less) and she sails just great. All that said, take a look at John Vigor's book, "Twenty Small Sailboats to Take you Anywhere" which summarizes the modifications made to the C27 for circumnavigation, and talks about various other boats and their favorable characteristics for open water navigation. Also check out Practical Sailor's Boat Buying Guide covering the C27 and C30 for discussions of the strong and weak points of these boats. In general regarding the rig, beyond the normal checking of stays and shrouds, turnbuckles etc. for wear, you want to check the chainplates -- both connection at deck and to bulkheads; make sure you have the u-bolt conversion on the lower shrouds (as opposed to the eye-bolt); check the bulkhead connections to the hull; look for deck deflection under the mast; and check the mast step/wooden block in the bilge for softness/rot. Deck deflection can be livable if it's not too extreme and there is no cracking of the deck; problems with the bilge mast step need to be repaired with penetrating epoxy or replacement. Catalina has great diagrams on both repairs. Good luck. Mike Turner S/Y Amity
Watch the weather
It can be done. Just watch the weather carefully and don't take chances. Any upgrades you do will be well worth the time, money & effort. You'd probably break before the boat did!
LaDonna
It can be done. Just watch the weather carefully and don't take chances. Any upgrades you do will be well worth the time, money & effort. You'd probably break before the boat did!
LaDonnaGo for it!
I sailed my 88 Catalina 30 to Bermuda to liveaboard her. I replaced all the standing rigging, replaced the forward hatch glazing (it was cracked) with Lexan, installed a tie on the lowermost campanionway slotboard (put them all in when it got really rough), replaced cockpit scupper hoses, installed a CARD unit, installed a dodger, was obsessive about watching the weather (I hired the gulfstream Lady, best $180 I ever spent), carried a liferaft and EPIRB, pumped out and cleaned my fuel tank, carried spare fuel filters and a baja filter, stowed fuel jugs securely over the keel instead of on deck, and generally went over the boat as completely as I had time and skill. Some things I didn't do but would advise: putting a very positive closure on the lazarettes, move the anchor and chain to the center of the boat down as low as possible, make sure everything works well. I thought I had but by the time I got here the only thing that worked was the sailboat, no engine, no electrics. Fortunately I carried a hand held VHF and had a spare handheld GPS. Another friend of mine soloed his Catalina 30 to Bermuda and spent 8 seasick hours in the Gulfstream down below sewing his main which ripped from luff to leach in a gale. Carry a spare of some sort. The biggest mistake I made ( though in my case unavoidable) was heading offshore before I really knew the boat inside and out. know how to fix it, and if you don't, carry a spare. Just a point of interest, I helped moor a 70' maxi last night that lost its mast launching off a 40' wave on the way over. Over driven? probably, lesson.... relax, don't push the boat. Scary? definitely. Offshore is offshore whether its 900miles of open ocean or 200. Don't take anything for granted. Go for it!
I sailed my 88 Catalina 30 to Bermuda to liveaboard her. I replaced all the standing rigging, replaced the forward hatch glazing (it was cracked) with Lexan, installed a tie on the lowermost campanionway slotboard (put them all in when it got really rough), replaced cockpit scupper hoses, installed a CARD unit, installed a dodger, was obsessive about watching the weather (I hired the gulfstream Lady, best $180 I ever spent), carried a liferaft and EPIRB, pumped out and cleaned my fuel tank, carried spare fuel filters and a baja filter, stowed fuel jugs securely over the keel instead of on deck, and generally went over the boat as completely as I had time and skill. Some things I didn't do but would advise: putting a very positive closure on the lazarettes, move the anchor and chain to the center of the boat down as low as possible, make sure everything works well. I thought I had but by the time I got here the only thing that worked was the sailboat, no engine, no electrics. Fortunately I carried a hand held VHF and had a spare handheld GPS. Another friend of mine soloed his Catalina 30 to Bermuda and spent 8 seasick hours in the Gulfstream down below sewing his main which ripped from luff to leach in a gale. Carry a spare of some sort. The biggest mistake I made ( though in my case unavoidable) was heading offshore before I really knew the boat inside and out. know how to fix it, and if you don't, carry a spare. Just a point of interest, I helped moor a 70' maxi last night that lost its mast launching off a 40' wave on the way over. Over driven? probably, lesson.... relax, don't push the boat. Scary? definitely. Offshore is offshore whether its 900miles of open ocean or 200. Don't take anything for granted. Go for it!
To C. Robb
I'm interested in teh things that failed, and the failure mechanisms, in more detail - can we talk? Please let me know. Thanks, jv jvisser@charter.net
I'm interested in teh things that failed, and the failure mechanisms, in more detail - can we talk? Please let me know. Thanks, jv jvisser@charter.net
Been There Done That
I have sailed my 1975 Cat30 offshore from Ft. Pierce directly to St. Thomas from there spenttwo years sailing the Islands down to Venezula to Bonaire to Jamaica to Guatamala to Mexico back to Florida with a family of 4. I am presently in the process of repowering and outfitting for another trip. Dodger and large bimini are a must. I sewed flaps on the bimini that could be tied to the lifelines to block morning and afternoon sun. We ended up motoring a lot which is why I am going up from 12 to 25hp. If you are afraid of offshore security It would be better to go down ICW to Miami and jump off to the Bahamas 50 miles. From there you can island hop all the way to PR with only one major crossing. Make sure to have at least a SSB receiver to pick up Weather and cruising net as good local weather reporting is hard to get. You could take several years just cruising the Bahamas.
I have sailed my 1975 Cat30 offshore from Ft. Pierce directly to St. Thomas from there spenttwo years sailing the Islands down to Venezula to Bonaire to Jamaica to Guatamala to Mexico back to Florida with a family of 4. I am presently in the process of repowering and outfitting for another trip. Dodger and large bimini are a must. I sewed flaps on the bimini that could be tied to the lifelines to block morning and afternoon sun. We ended up motoring a lot which is why I am going up from 12 to 25hp. If you are afraid of offshore security It would be better to go down ICW to Miami and jump off to the Bahamas 50 miles. From there you can island hop all the way to PR with only one major crossing. Make sure to have at least a SSB receiver to pick up Weather and cruising net as good local weather reporting is hard to get. You could take several years just cruising the Bahamas.
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