I am looking for a Catalina sailboat model years 1985 - 1995. Interested in boat between 30 and 36 feet. Would appreciate input on what to avoid and what to look for. Strengths and weakness. Best all around model for weekend sailing and the occasional get away on the Great Lakes. Thanks
Search for new boat - 30, 320, 34 or 36?
- Thread starter PacificSail
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The 320 is a completely different boat than the other three. Rigging, freeboard, stern tube...
Check out the Association websites: www.catalinaXX.org
Check out the Association websites: www.catalinaXX.org
You are asking a very broad question. It would be better to ask for strengths & weaknesses in a specific model U are interested in, but here goes. We have a C 30 which would be a great boat for weekends, & a good first timer sailboat. She is very stiff & weatherly, a good performer & very forgiving under sail. She doesn't heel excessively & will tend to round up if over powered. The cabin size & accomodations are unmatched for a 30 footer. The most bang for the buck around. But potential rot problems of plywood core in the bilge & wooden compression posts & Catalina smile can develop in older models. Can easily be bought under 20 k & fix up as you go along. 1990's models are much more pricey, but redesigns may be worth it. The Catalina 309 is the later, upgraded evolution of the C 30. The C 34 is better still, just the larger sister. They all share similar rigging designs & the Universal 25 3 cylinder engine which is a workhorse. Later C 34's switched to a keel stepped mast which is a lil tougher, and avoids wooden compression post rot problems all together. Most sailors would recommend starting smaller (C 30) & working your way up the ladder in size at is is warranted. The costs of a C 36 are the most prohibitve issue: cost to buy, insure, slip & maintain go up as the boat lengthens. You'll find that the hardest part of sailing a big boat is getting the big, beamy buggers in & out of their slip without banging you boat or somebody else! That's why its good to practice with a smaller boat & gain experience.
The alternative to purchasing is to daysail a friend's boat, rent / charter them to get a feel for what you want & like vs/ need. Good luck & enjoy the hunt.
The alternative to purchasing is to daysail a friend's boat, rent / charter them to get a feel for what you want & like vs/ need. Good luck & enjoy the hunt.
Please Stu,
My curiosity is killing me, how is the stern tube on my 320 different than the other boats ?
My curiosity is killing me, how is the stern tube on my 320 different than the other boats ?
IIRC, the 320 doesn't have a strut. If I'm wrong, please tell me. I know the newer Catalinas don't. Sorry, very sorry, if I was wrong.
No, I think you are probably right, to be honest when I first looked at it I remember thinking the tube sure looked "long", but I don't remember a strut at all. Probably why it struck me as long and I didn't recognise what was missing.
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