I currently have a 1981 Hunter 27 that I resurrected from the dead, and it has turned into a pretty nice boat which I live aboard. However, a friend at the marina has been restoring a late 70s, Catalina 30, and I am amazed at the room below decks. I had several questions about the Catalinas: - How does the 30 sail on open ocean? - What are trouble spots on the C-30? - Of the C-30, 32 and 34, which has been most trouble free and the one people have been happiest with? - Does the wide beam on the C-30 make it ride the seas worse than a more narrow hull? - The C-34 seems to be the best all-around boat, but I was noticing on the Catalina Website that the 32 is almost 34 feet long, is that a better deal? Again, thanks in advance for anyone out there who can fill me in... I like the older Hunter designs, but after looking at some of the design features of the larger and newer Hunters, and the Catalinas, it seems the Catalina is built more traditionally, and more ruggedly. Also, in the 30 foot range, the Catalina seems to have the most impressive room... Chris
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Potential Catalina Owner
Chris, the one subject you didn't mention was $$. The C-30's and C-34's have been around for a long time and you can find them in just about all price ranges. The C-32 was originally built in '94, I believe, and have held their values quite well. After looking at C-30's, C-34's and C-36's we settled on the C-32. It works well for what we do (inland lake sailing) and there is no exterior teak to maintain. Any one of the three would be a good selection. If you are going to be doing any coastal or offshore sailing I would probably go with the C-34. Good hunting!
Chris, the one subject you didn't mention was $$. The C-30's and C-34's have been around for a long time and you can find them in just about all price ranges. The C-32 was originally built in '94, I believe, and have held their values quite well. After looking at C-30's, C-34's and C-36's we settled on the C-32. It works well for what we do (inland lake sailing) and there is no exterior teak to maintain. Any one of the three would be a good selection. If you are going to be doing any coastal or offshore sailing I would probably go with the C-34. Good hunting!
In San Diego there a hundreds
or even more C30’s and there is not many places to sail but the coast of CA. I have owned my C30 1983 for just a couple of months so I can not say as to the kind of sailing you can do however I do plan on taking mine to Catalina island this summer which will be a more than a few day coastal trip. We also plan a lot of costal day sails. I bought mine from a person who bought a C34 and he likes it. He did pay a lot more for the C34 though.
or even more C30’s and there is not many places to sail but the coast of CA. I have owned my C30 1983 for just a couple of months so I can not say as to the kind of sailing you can do however I do plan on taking mine to Catalina island this summer which will be a more than a few day coastal trip. We also plan a lot of costal day sails. I bought mine from a person who bought a C34 and he likes it. He did pay a lot more for the C34 though.
I think Hank LeSieur said it best
I think Hank LeSieur said it best on how much do you want or can spend, also the slip may be an issue. The C34 is certainly a beautiful boat however I could not afford one. The C30 is also a beautiful boat and I could afford it (barley), I have never been on a C32 but if it is anything like the C30 and C34 I do not see how you can go wrong. A time back in San Diego slips were an issue, a 30’ slip was extremely hard to get, now there are some available, so you may need to find a slip and then decide on a boat, hopefully not. If you are going to live on it I would think the C34 or C32 would make a big difference over a C30.
I think Hank LeSieur said it best on how much do you want or can spend, also the slip may be an issue. The C34 is certainly a beautiful boat however I could not afford one. The C30 is also a beautiful boat and I could afford it (barley), I have never been on a C32 but if it is anything like the C30 and C34 I do not see how you can go wrong. A time back in San Diego slips were an issue, a 30’ slip was extremely hard to get, now there are some available, so you may need to find a slip and then decide on a boat, hopefully not. If you are going to live on it I would think the C34 or C32 would make a big difference over a C30.
C-30 Value
I think that the C-30 is the best bet in terms of value. There are lots of them out there to choose from at a variety of prices, from fixer uppers to perfect boats. You're going to spend quite a bit more for either the 34 or 32. I don't know much about the 32, but I know a professional delivery skipper and and sailing instructor who opted for a C-34 in San Francisco a few years back. On the 30, the engine seems to be something that people have strong opinions about. Older boats have either an Atomic 4 gas engine or one of a couple of small Diesels, the most common being a Universal 5411 11hp Diesel. Newer boats have larger Diesels. If you do a search on this site, you'll find out a lot.
I think that the C-30 is the best bet in terms of value. There are lots of them out there to choose from at a variety of prices, from fixer uppers to perfect boats. You're going to spend quite a bit more for either the 34 or 32. I don't know much about the 32, but I know a professional delivery skipper and and sailing instructor who opted for a C-34 in San Francisco a few years back. On the 30, the engine seems to be something that people have strong opinions about. Older boats have either an Atomic 4 gas engine or one of a couple of small Diesels, the most common being a Universal 5411 11hp Diesel. Newer boats have larger Diesels. If you do a search on this site, you'll find out a lot.
C-30 Value
I too feel the C30 is an excellent value. True enough it's not a speedster, nor is it a slug. It's forgiving if your learning or it's your first boat in the 30' plus range. The cabin layout is excellent, being roomy enough to accomodate six guests. The amount of information available on the C30 is staggering and the C30 community of sailors are the most generous with that information I've come accross. The engine sizes do vary considerably with the age of the boat. Early models featured the gas powered Atomic 4, pre 1983 boats had the raw water cooled, 11 HP 5411; from '84 to I believe '88 the C30 had a 21 HP Universal M-25, in either '88 or '89 they moved to the 26 HP Universal M-25XP and after that I'm not sure. There are three main 'designs' of C30: standard, tall rig and tall rig with bow sprit(TRBS). I have the '84 C30 TRBS with North sails, roller furling 135% gen, fully battened mail, folding prop, GPS, radar and VHF. I could not be happier with our C30, though the folding prop lacks power compared to a fixed prop. The C30 is a great coastal or large lake cruiser. Check the link for more spec info on the C30.
I too feel the C30 is an excellent value. True enough it's not a speedster, nor is it a slug. It's forgiving if your learning or it's your first boat in the 30' plus range. The cabin layout is excellent, being roomy enough to accomodate six guests. The amount of information available on the C30 is staggering and the C30 community of sailors are the most generous with that information I've come accross. The engine sizes do vary considerably with the age of the boat. Early models featured the gas powered Atomic 4, pre 1983 boats had the raw water cooled, 11 HP 5411; from '84 to I believe '88 the C30 had a 21 HP Universal M-25, in either '88 or '89 they moved to the 26 HP Universal M-25XP and after that I'm not sure. There are three main 'designs' of C30: standard, tall rig and tall rig with bow sprit(TRBS). I have the '84 C30 TRBS with North sails, roller furling 135% gen, fully battened mail, folding prop, GPS, radar and VHF. I could not be happier with our C30, though the folding prop lacks power compared to a fixed prop. The C30 is a great coastal or large lake cruiser. Check the link for more spec info on the C30.
C-30 on the ocean
I sailed my 88' C30 to Bermuda a few years back and have been living aboard ever since. She did well on the ocean considering I have the shallow draft wing keel. A bit too much hobby horsing but I believe with experience and better weight distribution that could be reduced. I also have a friend who singlehanded his 81' C30 to Bermuda and back again! I think they are great boats for the money.
I sailed my 88' C30 to Bermuda a few years back and have been living aboard ever since. She did well on the ocean considering I have the shallow draft wing keel. A bit too much hobby horsing but I believe with experience and better weight distribution that could be reduced. I also have a friend who singlehanded his 81' C30 to Bermuda and back again! I think they are great boats for the money.
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