MK1 interior rearrangment.

[pete c]

I am considering buying a 1980 C30.

I really like the interior layout on these, but also love the more modern boats where they tuck the head along the side further aft next to the companionway. This would free up a lot of space forward which would allow me to make the V berth into a spacious forward owner's cabin.

I would happily sacrifice the nav station and if need be, a bit of the starboard midship berth to create a new head. I plan on going with a composting head, so plumbing would be minimal. Might even forgo it entirely and do a cockpit shower.

I doubt I am the first to wonder about this. Would love to hear C30 owners' thoughts and pics if it has been done.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Be mindful that bulkheads are not movable and are located where they are for structural support.
Doing anything that radical begs the question - why not find a boat with your preferred interior design?

 

[pete c]

I am mindful of bulkheads being structural. The plan that I have would involve widening the bulkhead that separates the V berth and head, but not removing it.

I have never actually been on a C30 and am basing this idea on looking at the sailboatdata pic of the interior.

My plan would be to move the berth aft a few feet and add a new water tight bulkhead forward of the berth. This could be used as storage and also provides crash protection. By shifting the berth aft a few feet, I think it would allow head forward sleeping, like some fancy new Beneteau.

As to your question of why not get a boat already laid out this way? Where's the fun in that? Actually, there are many boats out there that have this layout, but they tend to bring a lot more money.

Another thing I like is the midship engine position. Great access and better balance. Don't know why more builders didn't use this layout. The only one that comes to mind is the Tartan 34.

 

[dlochner]

Boats are a compromise. Part of that compromise is the cost. If you like more modern boats, then you should buy a more modern boat. If a more modern boat is not in your budget, then you have to accept the limitations of an older boat. It is really that simple.

You could of course spend a lot time and money trying to make an old boat into a modern boat, but you would still have an old boat. Older Cat 30s were not noted for their performance under sail.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Pete, your ideas are not consistent with how boats are built. I've owned Catalinas since 1983. The settees are supported by fiberglass, so it's not only the bulkheads you'd have to deal with. In addition, there is simply not the space available up forward to install a forward head V berth.
You could go into the Catalina Yachts archived brochures and get an actual floor plan of the C30, and scale it off and see.
Other than those "minor issues" I think your ideas are lunacy.

 

[Tally Ho]

I don’t know about lunacy, but certainly very challenging to accomplish. As @Stu Jackson says, boats like the Cat 30 (and my O’Day 322) do not have stick built furniture, floors, etc. Much of the interior of the boat is a large fiberglass “pan”, that includes the bases for the settees, door thresholds, parts of the sole, etc. So moving things around are not easily accomplished.

You should get on a boat you think you like, and see how it feels. If it seems to fit, buy it and live with it for a year…then decide what upgrades and modifications seem worthwhile.

My first boat (1998 Hunter 280) just never quite made me happy, despite it being a solid, easy-to-maintain boat. I WANTED more teak and ”character” than that boat could offer (too much fiberglass inside).

I have owned my O’Day 322 for about 8 years now, and each year pick one or 2 projects to do over the winter…
Mostly “upgrades”, no major construction.


Greg

 

[fox9988]

I recently did a king size bed in the saloon conversion. Love it.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I recently did a king size bed in the saloon conversion. Love it.

Right. We did a "queen" sized bed in our Catalina 22 based on some great ideas in the old Main Brace magazine.
We also did a King in our Catalina 25.
Our C34 has a huge V berth, largest of her size in the galaxy, an excellent aft cabin, as well as a King in the main saloon.
All done without moving bulkheads or fiberglass.
Choose wisely young man.

 

[pete c]

Geeze guys, don't hold back. Tell me what you really think!!!!

Thanks for your honest replies.

I do plead guilty to occasional bouts of lunacy. Good to have people out there who are willing to slap me back to reality.

Saw the boat yesterday afternoon and here are my thoughts.

Rock solid boat, but damn, does it look like 1974 inside!!!! It is a 1980, I vaguely recall 1980 and this looks older.

My first time on a C30 and wow is it HUGE inside. I think you could play baseball in the saloon. And the ginormous companionway hatch adds to the spaciousness. Just wouldn't want to take a big wave with it open!

The universal diesel purrs like a kitten, but it is raw water cooled which concerns me in a saltwater boat.

Exterior brightwork is.....well....not terribly bright, but I think it could be brought back with a little sanding and oil.

Sails look good. Standing rigging looks older but decent. I think it is up to close coastal sailing, but wouldn't venture off shore without updating. Decks are solid. Could find no indications of soft spots.

The owner seems like a very honest, good guy.

I am very tempted to make an offer on this already cheap boat.

 

[captcoho]

I am considering buying a 1980 C30.

I really like the interior layout on these, but also love the more modern boats where they tuck the head along the side further aft next to the companionway. This would free up a lot of space forward which would allow me to make the V berth into a spacious forward owner's cabin.

Interesting, apparently you don't like the layout all that much. Why not find a boat with the layout you prefer?
To me it would be like trying to touch up the Mona Lisa or redraw Poor Robie.
The biggest concern may be weight distribution, as well as venting of the compost head which is essential, but your boat.