After reading extensively in back issues of Mainsheet about older Catalina 30s I am becoming gun shy about moving up to one in the $20,000 or under range. I am wondering if I wouldn't get I better overall quality boat for my money here in the Great Lakes area by seeking out a 30 Tartan or 30 Alberg. Can anyone shed some light on these old boats? I do plan to talk to Tartan people here in Ohio and search out owners this spring. I plan to sail the Lakes only and am parting with my 25Cat. I feel I know Catalinas well but I get the impression the early ones [ prior to 78 ] were barkers. What else is out there?
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C-30s
I picked up my '85 C-30 for $12000 with very minimal work needed. That deal doesen't come around often, but they are there. I looked at an Alberg 30 before my Cat. Although it is a better "sea" boat, the C-30 was way better for what I wanted(I liveaboard). Much, much roomier, and the boat has never let me down. My friend has an '81 C-30 that he got for $15000, and has had no major problems. I don't think I could have gotten any better boat for my money.
I picked up my '85 C-30 for $12000 with very minimal work needed. That deal doesen't come around often, but they are there. I looked at an Alberg 30 before my Cat. Although it is a better "sea" boat, the C-30 was way better for what I wanted(I liveaboard). Much, much roomier, and the boat has never let me down. My friend has an '81 C-30 that he got for $15000, and has had no major problems. I don't think I could have gotten any better boat for my money.
cat 30
We have a 1978 catalina 30 it's a great boat . Sailed it to the Bahamas last year and we are going again yhis year.Love the boat and would buy another one any day . Rob
We have a 1978 catalina 30 it's a great boat . Sailed it to the Bahamas last year and we are going again yhis year.Love the boat and would buy another one any day . Rob
Older Quality Boats
Hi Bill: If you're looking for older quality boats, consider Sabres and Bristols. I don't think I've ever read anything negative about these boats. An early 80's 28 ft Sabre will run mid 20's to lo 30's. I haven't read much about Tartans because most of the older ones have centerboards which I don't want to get into. I understand your hesitancy with regard to older Catalinas. I have read some rather uncomplimentary things about them. I think the newer models are better built though. Good luck Melody
Hi Bill: If you're looking for older quality boats, consider Sabres and Bristols. I don't think I've ever read anything negative about these boats. An early 80's 28 ft Sabre will run mid 20's to lo 30's. I haven't read much about Tartans because most of the older ones have centerboards which I don't want to get into. I understand your hesitancy with regard to older Catalinas. I have read some rather uncomplimentary things about them. I think the newer models are better built though. Good luck Melody
Older Catalinas
Catalinas are built right across the street from me and there are a zillion around here in SoCal. There are plenty of 20 year-olds sailing San Francisco bay in nasty chop and strong wind. I think you have to consider the boat itself, its overall condition, the integrity of the core, how you will use it, the kind of power and sail condition. You will be doing plenty of maintenance and upgrading regardless, so pick what you feel good in, get a good survey and join the rest of us by throwing your wallet over the side. But, beware some bias on a boat that reshaped an industry. Good luck. RD
Catalinas are built right across the street from me and there are a zillion around here in SoCal. There are plenty of 20 year-olds sailing San Francisco bay in nasty chop and strong wind. I think you have to consider the boat itself, its overall condition, the integrity of the core, how you will use it, the kind of power and sail condition. You will be doing plenty of maintenance and upgrading regardless, so pick what you feel good in, get a good survey and join the rest of us by throwing your wallet over the side. But, beware some bias on a boat that reshaped an industry. Good luck. RD
Labor Issues
As I recall, a local Catalina dealer, long gone, indicated that Catalina had some labor issues back in the 80's which resulted in some poorer quality boats, including sabotage, for awhile. I don't if this was an old wives tale or not but I can vouch for the 1978 Cat 25 I owned as being a very good reliable boat that is still sailing strong. As somebody stated it is the individual boat you look at. Usually you get what you pay for. Buy a boat for its intended purpose based upon condition.
As I recall, a local Catalina dealer, long gone, indicated that Catalina had some labor issues back in the 80's which resulted in some poorer quality boats, including sabotage, for awhile. I don't if this was an old wives tale or not but I can vouch for the 1978 Cat 25 I owned as being a very good reliable boat that is still sailing strong. As somebody stated it is the individual boat you look at. Usually you get what you pay for. Buy a boat for its intended purpose based upon condition.
Alberg 30 vs Catalina 30
I owned Alberg 30 for 23 years before we sold it in 1999 and got an C-36 MKII. The Alberg is a rock hard boat. It sails great and looks nice too. It's interior is small however. People we have sailed with for 25 years have a C-30 and are very happy with it. . I have sailed on it and against it many times and the c-30 dose very will. In light air the C-30 will have it all over my A-30 every time. The C-30 will do much better in light winds. The Alberg dose not get going until the wind gets to 12kts. At 20kts she is flying and the C-30 was always behind. Boat for boat the C-30 has much more room then the Alberg but IMHO is not as pretty a boat.. Good Luck Rich Lemieux Amitie, C-36 MK II 1621 Noank, CT
I owned Alberg 30 for 23 years before we sold it in 1999 and got an C-36 MKII. The Alberg is a rock hard boat. It sails great and looks nice too. It's interior is small however. People we have sailed with for 25 years have a C-30 and are very happy with it. . I have sailed on it and against it many times and the c-30 dose very will. In light air the C-30 will have it all over my A-30 every time. The C-30 will do much better in light winds. The Alberg dose not get going until the wind gets to 12kts. At 20kts she is flying and the C-30 was always behind. Boat for boat the C-30 has much more room then the Alberg but IMHO is not as pretty a boat.. Good Luck Rich Lemieux Amitie, C-36 MK II 1621 Noank, CT
A Video
Bill Nixon....As a die-hard Hunter H37C owner I have no first hand knowledge of the Catalina 30, BUT, I have a great video called, "Baja Passage," in which 2 men and a woman sail from San Diego to Cabo San Lucus aboard a Catalina 30. They discuss the boat in detail, pros and cons and over all the little ship does a great job in conditions far beyond any coastal cruising. The voyage was in 1987 so I don't know if the tape is still available. Try: Gusto Productions 400 S. Melrose Drive #101 Vista, CA 92083 or Bennett Marine Video 730 Washington Street Marina Del Rey, CA. 90292 (310) 821-3329 If no luck.. E-mail me at Captronbob@yahoo.com in the subject, put "Baja Tape." Ron/KA5HZV
Bill Nixon....As a die-hard Hunter H37C owner I have no first hand knowledge of the Catalina 30, BUT, I have a great video called, "Baja Passage," in which 2 men and a woman sail from San Diego to Cabo San Lucus aboard a Catalina 30. They discuss the boat in detail, pros and cons and over all the little ship does a great job in conditions far beyond any coastal cruising. The voyage was in 1987 so I don't know if the tape is still available. Try: Gusto Productions 400 S. Melrose Drive #101 Vista, CA 92083 or Bennett Marine Video 730 Washington Street Marina Del Rey, CA. 90292 (310) 821-3329 If no luck.. E-mail me at Captronbob@yahoo.com in the subject, put "Baja Tape." Ron/KA5HZV
Choose what you like then SURVEY
This is the summary of many discussions like this. I have not heard a disqualifying _general_ problem with any of the boats on this site. But a few individual used boats from any maker could be a horror story. A good survey is a requirement, and can be relied on to find most major issues. So the advice is to plan your use of the boat, find out what is available in your price range, pick the one you like, and get a good survey. I ended up chosing a '77 Hunter 27 over a '81 Catalina 30 because Catalina had too much draft for my slip. I'm sure we would have been happy with the other choice.
This is the summary of many discussions like this. I have not heard a disqualifying _general_ problem with any of the boats on this site. But a few individual used boats from any maker could be a horror story. A good survey is a requirement, and can be relied on to find most major issues. So the advice is to plan your use of the boat, find out what is available in your price range, pick the one you like, and get a good survey. I ended up chosing a '77 Hunter 27 over a '81 Catalina 30 because Catalina had too much draft for my slip. I'm sure we would have been happy with the other choice.
Consider a Cherubini Hunter
Bill, Several years ago I was a Catalina fan and very brand loyal having had two C-22s that were great. We began looking at C-25s and C-27s and while I was looking at a nice little C-25, my wife was talking to a salesman about a 1980 Cherubini Hunter 27. She finally convinced me to go have a look. After my Catalina blinders came off, I began to see a wonderful coastal cruiser that was very affordable. I later learned it was designed by one of the greatest naval architects of that time period. Unlike the Catalina I was looking at, the Hunter came standard with an inboard Diesel, wheel steering, teak and holly sole, and solid wood doors (the C-25 had a cheap plastic curtain). The Cherubini Hunter 30 was designed in 1975 and John Cherubini along with the folks at Hunter kept improving the design through the years up until around 1983. After that Mr. Cherubini left Hunter, and that was the end of the era. Since then Hunter has come under a lot of fire for radical new controversial designs. Don't let the smoke from the new designs keep you from looking at the Cherubinis. If your looking for a 30 footer for under $20K, I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a better candidate than a Cherubini Hunter. Incidently, I’ve looked at the Catalina 30 and it is also a nice boat. I still have fond memories of our Catalina and still think highly of the organization and the great owner support that is out there. I consider the C-22 the VW bug of sailboats
Bill, Several years ago I was a Catalina fan and very brand loyal having had two C-22s that were great. We began looking at C-25s and C-27s and while I was looking at a nice little C-25, my wife was talking to a salesman about a 1980 Cherubini Hunter 27. She finally convinced me to go have a look. After my Catalina blinders came off, I began to see a wonderful coastal cruiser that was very affordable. I later learned it was designed by one of the greatest naval architects of that time period. Unlike the Catalina I was looking at, the Hunter came standard with an inboard Diesel, wheel steering, teak and holly sole, and solid wood doors (the C-25 had a cheap plastic curtain). The Cherubini Hunter 30 was designed in 1975 and John Cherubini along with the folks at Hunter kept improving the design through the years up until around 1983. After that Mr. Cherubini left Hunter, and that was the end of the era. Since then Hunter has come under a lot of fire for radical new controversial designs. Don't let the smoke from the new designs keep you from looking at the Cherubinis. If your looking for a 30 footer for under $20K, I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a better candidate than a Cherubini Hunter. Incidently, I’ve looked at the Catalina 30 and it is also a nice boat. I still have fond memories of our Catalina and still think highly of the organization and the great owner support that is out there. I consider the C-22 the VW bug of sailboats
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