New sailor, 2 boat options, need quick advice.

[arlandzatania]

Im not too sure of what to get for a sailboat. And wanted to know community opinions. Right now I’ve decided on a Catalina 30 or a Tanzer 29.

The Catalina is where I live and the trust selling it had a survey valued at 6k due to deck moisture. No current asking price, I must give an offer. I personally looked at the boat and the ground wasn’t springy nor hollow and only noticed some moisture near the mast and one side deck. The boat comes with new main and jib.

The Tanzer, I’d have to sail home about 100nmi, and I currently have the price around 9-10k. This one has no deck issues, and comes with gori prop, and newly manufactured sails as well as a spinnaker and cutter or Genoa I believe; it was owned by a racer who wants a faster boat.

Both have self tailing winches and other lifestyle upgrades; I am wondering if there is a clear winner or stay away red flag I should look out for within these options.

My goal is to sail the Great Lakes whenever I want, maybe weekend trip once in a while. Usually me and friends. I don’t care about being the fastest but I like versatility especially for low wind days. I’d like to keep it cheaper but also am conscious that cheap boats with problems have great expenses so that’s why I’m going back and forth between both.

Thank you so much in advance for anyone that answers!

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The Tanzer is clearly the better boat but it sounds like a C30 would better suit your sailing style. New boats are popping up all the time. Be patient. You'll know the right one when you see it

 

[dmax]

Can't go wrong with a good C30. You should determine if the deck moisture is going to be a problem - rot vs. just high moisture. The number of C30s and the online community make it the easier boat to own and repair.

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the Forum.
You give us two boats to compare, but we do not know their age.
You share that you know "how to sail", yet nothing about your ability to evaluate, maintain, or repair a boat.

In the blind, choose the boat that:
1. Keeps the water outside of the hull
2. Is ready to go sailing right now
3. You feel comfortable buying, and then spending 2 times that amount more on making it the boat you like.

 

[arlandzatania]

Thank you everyone so far, I appreciate the help through this and realize I did leave out some context:

You give us two boats to compare, but we do not know their age.
You share that you know "how to sail", yet nothing about your ability to evaluate, maintain, or repair a boat.

C30 is MKII from 1988
T29 1986 full fiberglass deck with some ply reinforcements.

I used to race dinghies when I was younger and have crewed on Ensign class and Tartan 30 races a couple times a season. (I don’t really care about full racing though, more of just go out and sail for fun).

I am an engineer, and never taken care of a boat however, I have also never taken a car to a mechanic, not had a contractor touch my house. If I can learn how to do something I will and I will probably spend more money to do it right. I guess in the fiberglass world I did make 2 wing surf boards.

 

[shemandr]

Features such as self taking winches, upgraded propeller, instrument packages etc. should not drive the choice.
Jib roller reefing is an important upgrade and would make a difference to me. But the OP doesn't mention any difference between both boats so I'll assume they both have roller reefing.
But based on a sailboat data.com comparison of the Tanzier 29 and Catalina 30 MK III we see that the Catalina is significantly heavier with a higher sail area to displacement ratio and a higher displacement/length ratio (Tubbier). Otherwise they are similar.
I would expect the Tanzier to be a more nimble sailer but more tender. (Better have a good main reefing system). I think it has a smaller cockpit.
See a comparison here:

Compare | Sailboatdata.com

sailboatdata.com

 

[rgranger]

One of the two options does give you the excuse to plan a 100nmi sailing adventure.

 

[rgranger]

What about a comparison of the auxillary power train? Is there any clear winner there?

 

[dmax]

1988 means that is it s C30 MKII which has some nice improvements over the MKI. The C30 is a large 30 foot boat, the cockpit is huge and the interior is comfortable. A decent sailor as well. Catalina transitioned from using plywood in the keel stub in the middle of the 1988 run, later ones in the year are all fiberglass - this plywood can rot, pretty big job to fix that you should try and avoid. Pay particular attention to the keel bolts/nuts, make sure they haven't sunk into the fiberglass. And check the keel to hull joint on the outside. Catalinas are solid boats. The Tanzer looks interesting with a large interior but I am not familiar with them.
Sounds like you will have no problem maintaining whatever you get, it's mostly attitude.

 

[Drinky Crow]

...the Tanzer 29 remains a soughtafter hull in the Great Lakes and Maritimes due to its robust Canadian construction* and its balance of "big boat" features in a manageable, 29foot frame.

Tanzer 29 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Technical specs and review for the Tanzer 29 (1986). A nimble design built for racing and fast cruising spanning 29' length, sporting a Masthead Sloop rig.

www.listingsport.com

* ... 'cause, Canada Day!

 

[BarryL]

Hello,

You need a lot more information before deciding which boat is better.

Engine - do you know anything about the engine on either boat? Inboard diesel? Manufacturer? How many hours? Any maintenance records? How do the engines look? Clean and neat or is one a rusted hulk?
Electronics - how do the boats compare? Are the electronics usable? Is there an autopilot that works?
It seems that boat boats have good sails - that is really great news. What about other canvas like a dodger or bimini? Those get real expensive if you need to add one.
How is the interior? Reasonable cushions? Functional lights? Pressure water? Water heater?

I don't know much about Tanzer. Catalina 30 have a very good reputation. Not a real good performer but a spacious, capable boat.

Good luck!
Barry

 

[shemandr]

Evidently listing port doesn't agree with me about the Tanzer being tender. but I was comparing and commenting between those two boats based on the numbers. They are virtually the same, same width and same keel draft. The ballast for the Tanzer is 2,425 lbs and the Catalina is 4,200 lbs. Hull form stability counts but that Tanzer looks like it has pinched in ends (Kinda like the IOR boats of that era). If the width was carried back further, which is the style of today, I would consider hull form to be a bigger factor. But it isn't.
The Tanzer may be stiff in comparison to other boats of that era.

 

[Drinky Crow]

I was looking into Tanzer 7.5s years ago and they were thought of like my old SJ24, a bit tippy, then....

 

[dlochner]

Tanzer had a reputation for building solid well performing boats. Construction was robust. The 29 came out just before the collapse of the boatbuilding industry in the late 80s.

The Tanzer will be a bit faster than the Catalina based on the PHRF ratings. The Tanzer comes in at 174 and the Catalina 30 mk II comes in between 180 and 210. The Tanzer should sail a little higher on the wind and be faster. The speed difference will be most notable in the light air conditions the Great Lakes often experience and might make a difference between sailing and motoring.

I owned a Tanzer 22 back in the day, so I'm a bit biased towards the Tanzer 29. I also prefer boats that are fun to sail, the Tanzer will probably beat the Catalina in that regard. Either boat has good potential the one to choose is the one in better shape and better maintained.

 

[FastOlson]

Given the info you have now about soft decks, ask when ALL the deck fittings were re-bedded. After approximately 20 years that will be the difference between a boat you can upgrade and enjoy, and one with constant leaks and core issues.