I currently have a Catalina 22. My friends and I spend 99% of our time in the cockpit. I am wondering how much I need to move up for a cockpit that accomodates 6 (or more) comfortably. A nice cabin is fine , but for our purposes, it would be used mainly if the weather turns rainy. Would a 34 suit my needs or should I even be looking at a different manufacturer?
larger cockpit
- Thread starter polarbear
- Start date
polarbear,
The cockpits of most Catalinas are pretty much the same size. Why? Because one of the "hallmarks" of Catalina's design philosophy is that one should have a cockpit large enough to sleep in/on. Really.
The cushions from our C22 fit perfectly on our C25. Our C34 "bench" seats are not very much longer.
I actually think you'll find that Catalina's cockpit seats are among the longest in the industry.
One thing to remember and to look for is a comfortable backrest, meaning that the coamings meet the cabintop at a right angle, because if they are curved, as some other builders make them, simply sitting back is NOT very comfortable. We bareboated a few Beneteaus, for example, that made it impossible to lean back because of the curve between the coamings and the cabintop.
You'll also find that larger boats with wheels may make for more cockpit "room."
Good luck.
The cockpits of most Catalinas are pretty much the same size. Why? Because one of the "hallmarks" of Catalina's design philosophy is that one should have a cockpit large enough to sleep in/on. Really.
The cushions from our C22 fit perfectly on our C25. Our C34 "bench" seats are not very much longer.
I actually think you'll find that Catalina's cockpit seats are among the longest in the industry.
One thing to remember and to look for is a comfortable backrest, meaning that the coamings meet the cabintop at a right angle, because if they are curved, as some other builders make them, simply sitting back is NOT very comfortable. We bareboated a few Beneteaus, for example, that made it impossible to lean back because of the curve between the coamings and the cabintop.
You'll also find that larger boats with wheels may make for more cockpit "room."
Good luck.
I looked at boats in the 28 to 32 ft length for a year before buying a Catalina 310 in July. I found the C-310 to have the largest cockpit for its size. I'm 6' 1" and can easily stretch out full length with room to spare. We've had 8 adults in the cockpit with no issues.
Listen to Stu about the curved coamings. He is exactly correct about the correct angle. I tried stretching out in every boat I looked at. The C-310 was the best.
(I felt 32 feet was the largest boat I wanted to single hand and get into the slip. There is also a bridge height issue in the bay in which I sail)
Listen to Stu about the curved coamings. He is exactly correct about the correct angle. I tried stretching out in every boat I looked at. The C-310 was the best.
(I felt 32 feet was the largest boat I wanted to single hand and get into the slip. There is also a bridge height issue in the bay in which I sail)
If you want something really roomy check out the Colgate 26.
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=5335
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=5335
As others have said, most Catalinas give great space in the cockpit. We cruise with friends that have a 1989 Catalina 30. We have had 6 people in that comfortably. But not to brag on our Catalina 310, but we have had 10 in our cockpit comfortably.
The trade off is the salon. We are pretty full at 4-5 in our salon while the Catalina 30 can fit 8-10.
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
s/v Smitty
The trade off is the salon. We are pretty full at 4-5 in our salon while the Catalina 30 can fit 8-10.
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
s/v Smitty
"Stern Perch Seats" !!!!!
I've sailed with 6 adults on a 270, and my 320, having a place to put 2 bodies in the cockpit but OUT of the WAY helps a lot. Last weekend we sailed my friends 36 ft French boat with 8 aboard, 6 were "passengers", really tough. Some friends have the newest model 320 and their cockpit is somehow even larger.
There's something about the "ergonomics" of the cockpits on the French boats, there's a lot of curved surfaces. I find it more difficult moving around just generally.
I've sailed with 6 adults on a 270, and my 320, having a place to put 2 bodies in the cockpit but OUT of the WAY helps a lot. Last weekend we sailed my friends 36 ft French boat with 8 aboard, 6 were "passengers", really tough. Some friends have the newest model 320 and their cockpit is somehow even larger.
There's something about the "ergonomics" of the cockpits on the French boats, there's a lot of curved surfaces. I find it more difficult moving around just generally.
Gotta love those stern perch seats. My wife likes to sit there when we are under way, with our little dog sitting in her lap. I have to agree with others that the C310 has a great cockpit. We spend most of our time aboard in the cockpit, and find it very comfortable.
Look at a Rhodes 22 if you want the largest cockpit for a boat the same size as the C-22. No comparison between them really.
bob
bob
Capri 22. For some of them it is the same hull if I recall correctly, but the cabin is made smaller as the capri was designed more as a day sailor / racer as opposed to a camper / cruiser. Asa result the cockpit is bigger. Cabin is also skinnier, so the side decks are wider.
I have often said that if I could find a Capri 26 at a price that I could do, (comparable to what I paid for my C27) it would be my absolute dream boat. Big enough, yet not too big.
Sugar-scoop walk-thru transom with easy access, a larger cockpit, wide decks going forward, PLUS some basic accomodations below with a NICE enclosed head.
Take a look at a Capri 26
http://capri26.tripod.com/Documents/C26_Brochure_1993.pdf
Sugar-scoop walk-thru transom with easy access, a larger cockpit, wide decks going forward, PLUS some basic accomodations below with a NICE enclosed head.
Take a look at a Capri 26
http://capri26.tripod.com/Documents/C26_Brochure_1993.pdf