My wife and and I are looking to buy a new boat, about 42 feet long. The final contenders are a catalina 42 or beneteau 423. I currently own a beneteau and am happy with the performance. All my friends who own catalinas say the same about their boats. Any insights from the group would be appreciated. Thanks in advance
New Boat Buying
- Thread starter Gordon17555
- Start date
- Status
Unbiased opinions are difficult to get
Having said that and recognizing you posed this question on the Catalina list, you can be assurred of getting a pro-C response. There are tons of similar questions in the archives you might want to check; each set biased towards the specific brand name on which the thread appeared, i.e, C's came out on top on the Cat owners list, Beneys on top on the B list, Hunters on top on the H owners list, etc. One can easily derive that the answer you get depends entirely on where and to whom you ask the question. You'd be better served finding someone you know, trust and who is knowledgeable about boat construction and how each manufacturer differs - there may be some "experts" here but how would you know???
Having said that and recognizing you posed this question on the Catalina list, you can be assurred of getting a pro-C response. There are tons of similar questions in the archives you might want to check; each set biased towards the specific brand name on which the thread appeared, i.e, C's came out on top on the Cat owners list, Beneys on top on the B list, Hunters on top on the H owners list, etc. One can easily derive that the answer you get depends entirely on where and to whom you ask the question. You'd be better served finding someone you know, trust and who is knowledgeable about boat construction and how each manufacturer differs - there may be some "experts" here but how would you know???
We're all the product of our experiences
If I'm a Catalina owner, I can tell you about my Cat. If I own a Hunter, I can tell you about my Hunter. There are few of us who can directly compare, say, a '78 Hunter 30 to a '78 Cat 30, however, as few will have owned BOTH, unless the first was totally unsuitable, and therefore sold and replaced by the second. In which case you'll only hear what was bad with the first. Comparisons done by the magazines are usually better for a head-to-head comparison. But their testers usually only have the boats for a few days, so you don't get the long-term perspective.
If I'm a Catalina owner, I can tell you about my Cat. If I own a Hunter, I can tell you about my Hunter. There are few of us who can directly compare, say, a '78 Hunter 30 to a '78 Cat 30, however, as few will have owned BOTH, unless the first was totally unsuitable, and therefore sold and replaced by the second. In which case you'll only hear what was bad with the first. Comparisons done by the magazines are usually better for a head-to-head comparison. But their testers usually only have the boats for a few days, so you don't get the long-term perspective.
speaking as a Catalina owner
I am on my 3rd used Catalina and I always get good service from Catalina even though I never bought a new boat from them. Any time I call them I feel I am treated like a long time customer. This will factor into my decision if I ever do buy a new boat. I would like to know how Beneteau treats their second owners. I think they are sharp boats too. You have a tough decision to make. Let us know what you decide and why.
I am on my 3rd used Catalina and I always get good service from Catalina even though I never bought a new boat from them. Any time I call them I feel I am treated like a long time customer. This will factor into my decision if I ever do buy a new boat. I would like to know how Beneteau treats their second owners. I think they are sharp boats too. You have a tough decision to make. Let us know what you decide and why.
Many considerations since it's a boat, but
for almost ANY boat, one thing that I always check is what I call the "dipstick" test. How easy is it to get to the oil dipstick and check the oil. Do you have to tear a cabin apart to do it, or just open a small door/panel? The ease of getting to the dipstick will be in direct proportion to the amount of times you regularly check it. Also, that "little detail" will go a long way to telling you how the boat's designers and builders had the USER in mind. My personal experience with Beneteaus is that everything immediately gets hidden behind some kind of panel, making tracing wiring, plumbing, etc. extremely difficult (this is based on a few bareboat charters over the past 10 years - haven't been on a new one in years). On all three of them we've had to rip the aft cabin apart every morning to check the oil (bedding, cushions, under-cushion panels, etc.) If, OTOH, you're NOT a DIY, then it may not mean anything to you. However, I feel knowing everything I possibly can about the boat and where things go and are, is a basic critical life safety issue. Especially if it's my boat. The dealer is NOT going to be out with you when "stuff" happens. Just my opinion. Your boat, your choice. Good luck, whatever you get in that size range oughta be super! Stu
for almost ANY boat, one thing that I always check is what I call the "dipstick" test. How easy is it to get to the oil dipstick and check the oil. Do you have to tear a cabin apart to do it, or just open a small door/panel? The ease of getting to the dipstick will be in direct proportion to the amount of times you regularly check it. Also, that "little detail" will go a long way to telling you how the boat's designers and builders had the USER in mind. My personal experience with Beneteaus is that everything immediately gets hidden behind some kind of panel, making tracing wiring, plumbing, etc. extremely difficult (this is based on a few bareboat charters over the past 10 years - haven't been on a new one in years). On all three of them we've had to rip the aft cabin apart every morning to check the oil (bedding, cushions, under-cushion panels, etc.) If, OTOH, you're NOT a DIY, then it may not mean anything to you. However, I feel knowing everything I possibly can about the boat and where things go and are, is a basic critical life safety issue. Especially if it's my boat. The dealer is NOT going to be out with you when "stuff" happens. Just my opinion. Your boat, your choice. Good luck, whatever you get in that size range oughta be super! Stu
Catalina VS Beneteau
Thanks for all who responded. I have posted the same question on the B site. I understand the biais issue. What I was hoping to get were answers like the first one refering to ease of maintenance on an catalina. This is something I will look at. My guess is that both quality and customer service are about the same, but owners know what they like and dislike about there boat in pretty short order.
Thanks for all who responded. I have posted the same question on the B site. I understand the biais issue. What I was hoping to get were answers like the first one refering to ease of maintenance on an catalina. This is something I will look at. My guess is that both quality and customer service are about the same, but owners know what they like and dislike about there boat in pretty short order.
Beneteau Vs Catalina
I am the owner of a used beneteau- 18 years old, and find that I too get good service from the factory.
I am the owner of a used beneteau- 18 years old, and find that I too get good service from the factory.
Just Curious
How do the two boats compare in price? The boats look very comparable for the most part. The biggest difference I see is the C42 has a keel stepped mast, the B423 is deck stepped. I've commissioned both Catalinas and Beneteaus. The deck hardware and rigging is higher quality on the Beneteaus. IMO the C42 2 Cabin Pullman has one of the all time great interior layouts. I hate v-berths and the C42's pullman is a great feature. The C42 Galley and "Garage" storage is another great feature. The nav station is in the wrong place and the boat does not have a pilot berth, but neither does the B423. I think it would be hard to go wrong with either boat.
How do the two boats compare in price? The boats look very comparable for the most part. The biggest difference I see is the C42 has a keel stepped mast, the B423 is deck stepped. I've commissioned both Catalinas and Beneteaus. The deck hardware and rigging is higher quality on the Beneteaus. IMO the C42 2 Cabin Pullman has one of the all time great interior layouts. I hate v-berths and the C42's pullman is a great feature. The C42 Galley and "Garage" storage is another great feature. The nav station is in the wrong place and the boat does not have a pilot berth, but neither does the B423. I think it would be hard to go wrong with either boat.
- Status