Living on a Catalina 40 or 42

[Dave...]

I'm considering moving up to a Catalina 40 or 42 in a couple of years, with an eye toward living on the boat during the summers and probably a month or two each winter. Can anyone let me know how their long term stays on these boats went - how well did the living arrangments work, etc?Thanks,Dave...

 

[K Noel]

life on a 42

We spent 6 months in the Bahamas on our 42 this year--increased water tankage, added miscellaneous goodies, but nothing major. The boat was really comfortable under sail, under motor, and on the hook. The stern arrangement makes it a breeze to get in/out of the dinghy. Any specific questions, let me know. Kathrine

 

[William T Allen]

Draft and thin water

Kathrine,I have a new 400 which I keep in Ft Lauderdale. I have considered spending some of the winter months in the Bahammas but I am concerned about thin water. My draft is 5'9" and I think the 42 is less draft. Have you had any problem with thin water with your 42? Were the charts helpful? How do you avoid thin water? Thanks, Bill

 

[KNoel]

draft and thin H2O

We draw 5 feet (well, 4'11")--there were people in the Abacos with 6-7 foot drafts who did fine. There is skinny water here and there, but you just have to watch the charts and the tides. Another helpful thing is to talk to people once you get there for local knowledge. for example, you'll need to enter Hope Town on a high or near-high tide. You will have no problem at all--there are hundreds of boats down there and most have a draft similar to yours! kathrine

 

[Norm Fontaine, sv cruising too]

one down-?? to go

We have been living on our 40 for abouta year. We includemy wife and I and Reggie our Wheaton Terrier (about 40 lbs) and Nouveau our cat. We picked the boat for its roominess down below and in the cockpit. We have not been disapointed.We have entertained as many as ten people in the cockpit comfortably and served dinner to eight at our dining table-scrunched some but reasonable. We spent six months in the Bahammas and only hit bottom about four times, never seriosly. Our true draft witha wing keel is 5'3". The boat is fast under sail and keeps or passes anything going up wind or on the beam. Newer boats (ours is a 1997) are faster under power as they are being put out with bigger engines.We found we had plenty of water on board without a water maker. The fuel capacity is short but with a couple of jerry cans was adaquate.We are going down island again this fall expect to have a great time-see you there.NormS/V Cruising Too