Is '73 Catalina vs. Albin Vega

Jun 2, 2015
3
Oday 23 Cape Coral, Florida

Both Catalina and Albin Vega are '73's. How is Catalina 27' better than the Albin Vega 27'? If you think it's not...please explain why.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,064
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
That's kinda a provocative question, at least how it's written.

One boat has a builder that's still in business and you can get replacement parts and upgrades from the builder and Catalina Direct.

They're two different boats that beg for NO comparisons. But let's see: types of keels, space down below, rigs, engine choices...

That should be a start.

It might help us to help you if you would take the time to explain why you're asking an open ended question put the way you did.
 
Jun 2, 2015
3
Oday 23 Cape Coral, Florida
Catalina vs Albin Vega

It seems both boats had pretty long production runs in the 27 foot range. Some experts claim that the Catalina is not for the ocean, and is not built sturdy enough topside to take hardly any punishment. The Albin Vega doesn't have this opinion from the experts. Can a 73' Catalina 27' be sturdy enough for an Ocean passage without a retrofit for this purpose?
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
If I was was planning a 'ocean passage' in a 40 year old boat I just bought; I'm pretty sure a re-fit would be in order no matter what the boat was.
 
Jun 2, 2015
3
Oday 23 Cape Coral, Florida
Which one is it if it were your only choice to refit...Catalina or Albin Vega?
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Which one is it if it were your only choice to refit...Catalina or Albin Vega?
All else being equal, easy. The Albin Vega. I just don't like the looks of them. At all.
 
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Stringhawk, the question you ask cannot be answered. The reason? You have given us nothing about what you want to do, where you want to go, how long you plan on being "out there", and a host of other things that are involved in the decision process. On top of that, I doubt anyone is going to say unequivocally that one boat is better than the other, except those who have owned both boats.

In order for us (SBO) to help you, provide us with more information about you and your skills, you desires/dreams, and anything else that will set down a foundation for us to build on.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
. On top of that, I doubt anyone is going to say unequivocally that one boat is better than the other, except those who have owned both boats.
LOL only if you have never been on both boats. The AB build/design quality (scantlings, layup, hull-deck joint, seakindlyness etc etc etc) is worlds above the C27. Offshore, the clear choice. Now if if you are looking for interior room, much better looks, coastal/bay cruising the C27 wins.
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
If I recall well enough, I had a '73 mustang. Nice enough at the time, but now? About the only advantage (except nostalgic) is the availability of parts, and it's probably a question of not just refit, but well into rebuild, and at that point, nostalgia aside, by the time your done, you could have bought something much further along the evolutionary scale.