My wife wants a lager boat and we have narrowed the search to a Catalina 30 Mark I, 1984-1986 type. We have looked a 3 so far. Is there anything in particular that we should watch out for on this model. Thanks Mark
Purchase advice
- Thread starter Mark M26D
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Check this out.
As a catalina 30 owner there is a important thing to check. Take up the floorboards and check the keelbolts and bilge. A clean dry bilge and keelbolts that are not showing rust trails or corosion is a very good thing to check.When water stays in the bilge and slips down the threads it creates crevice corrosion and also rots the wood under the glass between the bolts and keel. this becomes a big problem down the road. You have probably heard of the catalina smile. this is a crack around the front or rear of the keel where it connects to the hull. (usually but not always from loose or damaged keel bolts)
As a catalina 30 owner there is a important thing to check. Take up the floorboards and check the keelbolts and bilge. A clean dry bilge and keelbolts that are not showing rust trails or corosion is a very good thing to check.When water stays in the bilge and slips down the threads it creates crevice corrosion and also rots the wood under the glass between the bolts and keel. this becomes a big problem down the road. You have probably heard of the catalina smile. this is a crack around the front or rear of the keel where it connects to the hull. (usually but not always from loose or damaged keel bolts)
I have mentioned this before
and at the risk of boring a few I will mention it again. The draft. It may not be a problem in your sailing area but the 5'3" draft is a bit much for most people sailing around the here. I have a friend whos trying to sell his 1985 Catalina 30 with newer sails and newer electronics for $19,999. That is a really good price but most do not want to deal with the 5'3" draft. Other than that I really enjoy his boat. Good luck, Jack
and at the risk of boring a few I will mention it again. The draft. It may not be a problem in your sailing area but the 5'3" draft is a bit much for most people sailing around the here. I have a friend whos trying to sell his 1985 Catalina 30 with newer sails and newer electronics for $19,999. That is a really good price but most do not want to deal with the 5'3" draft. Other than that I really enjoy his boat. Good luck, Jack
Right Engine
Catalina offered a few engines in those years. The venerable atomic 4, a low HP diesel and the Universal 25XP. Do not get any engine with fewer than 23 HP. The boat displaces a fair bit and needs decent propulsion. I was glad to have the Universal 25XP when trying to buck a 4kt. current in the Cape Cod canal. The atomic 4 is a gasser and will be on a lower priced boat. The Universal 25 XP is a great choice. Avoid the low horse power early diesels. The atomic 4 is a fine engine and gasoline is ok with a prudent skipper. Also stay away from any Catalina with gate valves for through hulls.
Catalina offered a few engines in those years. The venerable atomic 4, a low HP diesel and the Universal 25XP. Do not get any engine with fewer than 23 HP. The boat displaces a fair bit and needs decent propulsion. I was glad to have the Universal 25XP when trying to buck a 4kt. current in the Cape Cod canal. The atomic 4 is a gasser and will be on a lower priced boat. The Universal 25 XP is a great choice. Avoid the low horse power early diesels. The atomic 4 is a fine engine and gasoline is ok with a prudent skipper. Also stay away from any Catalina with gate valves for through hulls.
Clarification to Dan's post
He's right about the diesels, with some additional input: The M25XP is a three cylinder engine with 23 hp and a 3 inch heat exchanger. C30s also have its predecessor, the M25, a 21 hp three cylinder. It's essentially the same engine with a 2 inch heat exchanger and a tad smaller bore and stroke or whatever the guts are called, but essentially the same beast. These were installed as late as 1986, most likely for a few years prior to that. We have one on our C34 and it works just fine. Ours is an '86 boat. The M25XP started to be installed in '87 by Catalina. The smaller diesel was a Universal, too, before the M25, maybe 18 hp, maybe raw water cooled, others would know, as would the aforementioned C30 website.
He's right about the diesels, with some additional input: The M25XP is a three cylinder engine with 23 hp and a 3 inch heat exchanger. C30s also have its predecessor, the M25, a 21 hp three cylinder. It's essentially the same engine with a 2 inch heat exchanger and a tad smaller bore and stroke or whatever the guts are called, but essentially the same beast. These were installed as late as 1986, most likely for a few years prior to that. We have one on our C34 and it works just fine. Ours is an '86 boat. The M25XP started to be installed in '87 by Catalina. The smaller diesel was a Universal, too, before the M25, maybe 18 hp, maybe raw water cooled, others would know, as would the aforementioned C30 website.
Dan & Stu are right,
We have a 83 C30 with the Universal M25 21hp engine (with 3 blade prop) and are very pleased with it. Our area (Gulf Islands) has many narrow passes with some very awkward currents, any less of an engine could interfere with our freedom to cruise ie: waiting for currents to subside prior to transiting passes etc. IMHO the 11 - 18 hp engines are very marginal power for the C30. EG
We have a 83 C30 with the Universal M25 21hp engine (with 3 blade prop) and are very pleased with it. Our area (Gulf Islands) has many narrow passes with some very awkward currents, any less of an engine could interfere with our freedom to cruise ie: waiting for currents to subside prior to transiting passes etc. IMHO the 11 - 18 hp engines are very marginal power for the C30. EG
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