Just lost, without my boat...

Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Hi everyone,

This past Tuesday, after finishing up all my chores, bottom painting, polishing, etc. on my 1991 Catalina 30 MKII, my turn came up to launch. When the lift had travelled within 20 feet of the bulkhead, the lift chain holding my stern snapped, sending my boat crashing to the pavement. She landed on her rudder, destroying it. She then continued to drop onto the prop, destroying that and then bent the shaft before finally resting on the wing-keel, which was cracked. The rudder post smashed its way through the hull and the steering head was now 24" ABOVE the cockpit deck. Without a complete detailed examination, any additional damage is yet to be determined.
Needless to say, she is totalled.....and so am I.
However, I do wish to put out a request for an available Catalina 30 or 32, 1991 or newer that would be accessible to me in the Northeast. I am in Staten Island, NY and would sincerely appreciate any solid leads. Thank you and I really hope to be back in the water for the summer on a new boat.
 

LuzSD

.
Feb 21, 2009
1,009
Catalina 30 San Diego/ Dana Point, Ca.
oh my gosh, I can't imagine watching that and realizing the damage. We also have an MKII, an '88, and love her so much, I would be so heartbroken to have that happen. I am so sorry and hope to see a boat available to you right away.
 

Fred

.
Sep 27, 2008
517
Catalina 28 mkii 745 Ottawa, Ontario, CA
It hurts just to read that! I hope that your insurance comes through and you're back on the water soon!
 
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Likes: Parsons
Feb 26, 2004
23,330
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
So sad to hear, sorry for your loss. Good luck on finding a new boat, they ARE out there. Google, yachtworld, craigslist, I found two of our three boats via newspaper ads which may only be online these days.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,923
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
I'm so sorry. That must have been horrible to watch.
 

Ward H

.
Nov 7, 2011
3,829
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Wow, that really hurts. Sorry to hear it. Hope get back on the water quickly.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
We all stood there and watched as it happened in slow motion. Everybody's jaw had to picked up off the ground.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Thank you. As I mentioned, it was jaw dropping. I don't wish it on anyone that loves their boat.....
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Thank you Stu. I am half-heartedly starting to search the various sites on line. I don't know if I'll be as lucky as I was with Southern Belle 10 years ago.
 
Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Oh my gosh. That is heart wrenching. I can hear the love you have for her. I am sure she was a proud yacht. I am glad to hear you will venture on. I know you will make any vessel you choose proud to be yours.
My condolences on your loss.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Thanks Ward. Since I'm in Staten Island, it would be great to find a boat on the Jersey side of the Kill. Please keep your ears open? Thanks again.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
My wife and I, being over 70, were training her to slow down with us. In the past 10 years, she actually mellowed from her exuberance in fresh breezes, to nice and easy no matter what the conditions. The NY bite has become quite challenging over the years and we almost had her responding perfectly. Oh well, maybe our next one will be a quick learner. Thank you.
 
Jan 22, 2008
112
Hunter 36_1980 Bass River, NJ
wow, heart wrenching ! I am in Viking Yachting Center in New Gretna, NJ Great Bay Area, There is a Catalina
I think it is a 30. Up for sale, the owner, bought up in length and this boat is on the hard ( it was in the water last season). I am not in town this weekend but if you want to contact me I will stop at the boatyard on Tuesday and get some contact info if your possibly interested.

Sorry about your sailboat,

joe
s/v Trinity
 

Bob S

.
Sep 27, 2007
1,813
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I sold my 95 c30 last year. I was sad to see her go but the new owners love her as much as I did. I can’t imagine how heartbroken I would be to witness that. My heart goes out to you. Hope you can find another one soon
 
Oct 19, 2017
8,119
O'Day Mariner 19 3444 Littleton, NH
You have my condolences. I have felt what you must have felt watching that happen. It wasn't a boat, it was my son crashing into an ice hardened snow bank head first on a sled. Everything runs out the pit of your stomach. He survived with a mild concussion, but that's not what I watched as it happened.

May your new boat sail just the way you need her to sail. God luck.

- Will (Dragonfly)
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Thank you for adding a bit of perspective to my loss. Loss of a life certainly trumps the loss of a possession.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Thank you Joe. If the boat is a 1991 or newer, I would certainly be interested. Please let me know if and when you have the opportunity to find out. Thank you again.