OLDER CATALINA OPINIONS WELCOME- PLEASE.

[CHET JUDD]

IVE JUST PUT A DEPOSIT ON MY FIRST SAILBOAT.1990 CATALINA 28.VERY EARLY HULL NUMBER # 20.I HAVNT YET ARRANGED THE SURVEY. ARE THERE PARTICULAR ITEMS THAT I SHOULD BE AWARE OF.I READ ABOUT EARLY RIGGING DEFECTS,REINFORCING PLATES,BUT I DONT KNOW ABOUT MUCH ELSE.ANY INFO OR OPINIONS ANYONE COULD SHARE WOULD BE GREAT.

 

[neil brand]

1990 catalina 28

I own a early number 1990 Catalina 28. A good surveyor shoul=d find any major defects. Any other info I can provide just let me know.Best of luck.Neil

 

[George B.]

Older C28's

In regards to the mast, Catalina went to a double spreader configuration on hull #101 (we owned #100). This was done to stiffen the mast. They also came out with a retrofit kit of stiffeners. The single spreader masts would develop a harmonic ("mast pumping") at higher wind speeds. Our boat was also a tall rig and we sailed her (quite successfully) on San Francisco Bay. To stop the harmonic, usually all you needed to was foot off a little and lower the traveller. Our former boat is still actively raced up here. Have a rigger re-tune and maintain proper stay tension and you should be alright. Ten feet of T-track for a spinnaker pole will do wonders in stiffening the mast. You might also want to give Catalina Yachts a call. They keep very good warranty records on their boats and that might be a good source of information. The boat worked very well for us - the MX25 engine ran like a champ and we never had any problems with the other various systems. We did a lot of weekend cruising and the 12v system could have been beefed up a bit however. The hot water heater was on the port side and we would develop a little lean when we had full fuel and waste tanks and the Stbd fresh water tank was empty. The biggest problem we had on our survey was some spider cracks due to a grounding which were easily fixed.

 

[RDS]

1990 C28

Apparently all 28s under #100 (mine is 58) are tall rigs. After 100 the standard rig became shorter and the "new" tall rig is the same as the older "standard" rig. I have not found any major problems other than dealing with a 12 year old boat. Check the furling system if its the old Hood continuous line system you may want to replace. Hood will sell you the new 707 at 50% off list price.

 

[Andy Sokolowsky]

Another 1990 C28

Chet - We've owned our 1990 C28 (#34 I believe) for a year now. In addition to what has been stated in the other responses, I can add the following: the domestic water heater must be disassembled to be removed so make sure there are no leaks, check the starboard water tank for leaks also and look for cracks on underside of cabintop near compression post. Not much. We love our C28. It's a great boat. Easy to sail, yet all the amenities of a larger boat. Best of luck!