For a long, long time I've studied saiboats, and now finally I'm at the point where my location, time, and funds will allow me to do more than read about sailing. I was looking at a boat recently and was approached by a broker who was very interested in selling me a boat obviously, but I want to know if I've missed something in all the research I've done over the last few years or if he was just trying to talk me up in price. He explained (I wish I would have written it down) that there are roughly Four Era's in the Catalina 30. I'm working from memory here so bear with me...Era One. Late '70's, big not so seaworth hatches. Era Two, up to mid '84, auxillary underpowered. Era Three. Some hull improvements, strength due to new keel design I believe he said, and finally Era Four. '91 and later, stonger hull, first design considered strong enough for off shore, and new style windows, older ones are now unavailable he says, and that's a problem with the older boats. He just happened to have a '91 available to show me. Hmm. What a co-incidence. My questions are these. I'm moving to the Kehma/Galveston Bay Area and would potentially like to take the boat into the Gulf, however most of the time would be spent in Galveston Bay. Are there in fact some distinct "Era's" for this boat? I believe draft varies from 5'3" to 3'10" depending on model, and how much weight should I give this feature in the Galveston area. (I'm from the Pacific NW, and I'm quickly realizing why people care about draft in other parts of the country!) Forgive my ignorance on this point, but what are the advantages of the Tall Rig? Lastly, I'm tempted to buy directly from an owner (and yes, I understand the value of a good survey), however this is my first boat and the process is intimidating. For those of you've that have used brokers, was the extra money worth the advice and guidance? I figure this won't be my last boat, so I should just try to figure out the process myself, not unlike maintaining the boat myself as opposed to paying someone to figure it out for me. Oh, and I should say that my price range tends to run in the mid 1980's boats, and I'm trying to decide if I was getting good advice about the newer boats, or maybe was my broker friend just being a good salesman. I've read this forum almost daily for over a year, and I look forward to being able to give something back someday for all that I've learned, but for now I'm just dipping my toe in the pool of ownership. Thanks in advance, Dan.
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C Robb Worthington
Go for the late 80's
It is my understanding that some major improvements were made with the 88 model, most of which came from owners suggestions. I've been fairly pleased with my 88.
It is my understanding that some major improvements were made with the 88 model, most of which came from owners suggestions. I've been fairly pleased with my 88.
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Mike I.
C-30
I would suggest you look at the Sailnet Catalina 30 mail list. Also the International Catalina 30 Association' site will give you a lot of information you will need. I've never heard of the three "eras" you mentioned, although there are three "series"; Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III, from mid 70s to present.
I would suggest you look at the Sailnet Catalina 30 mail list. Also the International Catalina 30 Association' site will give you a lot of information you will need. I've never heard of the three "eras" you mentioned, although there are three "series"; Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III, from mid 70s to present.
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Michael
tall rig vs standard
Dan, The tall rig (TR) just has a taller mast and more sail area than the standard rig (SR). Its not a huge difference, like 50 square feet more sail area or something. MOST the TR's also have the bowsprits as well. Our C30 (1990) was our first boat and we did not use a broker. We had the survey and everything turned up OK. Process just seems intimidating; really quite straightforward. Here's a biggie though - if you are going to get the boat USCG documented, i reccomend you have a documentation service do it for you; the process is very long and painstaking. We balked at their $300 fee but in hindsight it would have been a deal. Good luck. check out this VERY informative site about the 3 different C30's (sounds like the broker was a bit mistaken.....) http://www.catalina30.com/C30Yacht/C30%20Yacht.htm Michael
Dan, The tall rig (TR) just has a taller mast and more sail area than the standard rig (SR). Its not a huge difference, like 50 square feet more sail area or something. MOST the TR's also have the bowsprits as well. Our C30 (1990) was our first boat and we did not use a broker. We had the survey and everything turned up OK. Process just seems intimidating; really quite straightforward. Here's a biggie though - if you are going to get the boat USCG documented, i reccomend you have a documentation service do it for you; the process is very long and painstaking. We balked at their $300 fee but in hindsight it would have been a deal. Good luck. check out this VERY informative site about the 3 different C30's (sounds like the broker was a bit mistaken.....) http://www.catalina30.com/C30Yacht/C30%20Yacht.htm Michael
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David
Dan, Maybe this will Help
Dan, I have a 1986 C30 TRBS, fin keel in Kemah. I have had the boat for nearly 2 years and as far as I'm concerned, it's a great match for the Galveston Bay area. The boat moves well in light air and I seldom need to reef before 20+ knots. She is very stable, very roomy & very forgiving. I looked at many boats & kept coming back to C30 for our area. It seems to be the best compromise of sailing & living. I have not personally taken my C-30 into the Gulf (yet), but I know several who do and who enter the Harvest Moon each year. I would not advise doing extended blue water passages in a C-30, but others seem to do it. Another plus is the wide availability and ease of maintenance. The only thing(s) I would add for you to think about are a) the Tall Rig option as the extra sail area can make a difference in the light air we sometimes experience on Galveston Bay, and b) you may want to look at the wing keel. The fin keel I have draws 5'3" and the wing is 3'10". As a whole, Galveston bay is fairly shallow, although I have had no problems with depth as of yet and with a little luck & planning, I hope to keep it that way. Good luck in your hunt.
Dan, I have a 1986 C30 TRBS, fin keel in Kemah. I have had the boat for nearly 2 years and as far as I'm concerned, it's a great match for the Galveston Bay area. The boat moves well in light air and I seldom need to reef before 20+ knots. She is very stable, very roomy & very forgiving. I looked at many boats & kept coming back to C30 for our area. It seems to be the best compromise of sailing & living. I have not personally taken my C-30 into the Gulf (yet), but I know several who do and who enter the Harvest Moon each year. I would not advise doing extended blue water passages in a C-30, but others seem to do it. Another plus is the wide availability and ease of maintenance. The only thing(s) I would add for you to think about are a) the Tall Rig option as the extra sail area can make a difference in the light air we sometimes experience on Galveston Bay, and b) you may want to look at the wing keel. The fin keel I have draws 5'3" and the wing is 3'10". As a whole, Galveston bay is fairly shallow, although I have had no problems with depth as of yet and with a little luck & planning, I hope to keep it that way. Good luck in your hunt.
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Dan Metzler
Thanks everyone!
Thanks! This board is always a wealth of information. David, I'm curious if you bought your boat in the Kemah area and if so, from a broker or owner, and how was the experience? Also I'm looking for a source that might break down by years what options were available, ie, when did the wing keel come into productions and such. Thanks again!
Thanks! This board is always a wealth of information. David, I'm curious if you bought your boat in the Kemah area and if so, from a broker or owner, and how was the experience? Also I'm looking for a source that might break down by years what options were available, ie, when did the wing keel come into productions and such. Thanks again!
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Dave
"Era Three" started mid-1988
I learned when I bought my '89 last year that the third era you described (which took place in the middle of the Mark II model run) happened in mid-1988. The easiest way to identify boats of this era is that the nav table faces forward in the later version.
I learned when I bought my '89 last year that the third era you described (which took place in the middle of the Mark II model run) happened in mid-1988. The easiest way to identify boats of this era is that the nav table faces forward in the later version.
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David
Dan
Dan, Yes, I bought the boat local and I used a broker. My personal experience was very smooth and I would recommend them. I personally used SeaLake Yachts in Seebrook. The broker that I used there was Doug Hughes. Look for their website at www.seaylakeyachts.com. I guess I should add that I am not affiliated with them in anyway, I just had a very good experience. Just make certain that you get a good survey on the boat you are looking at. Good Luck
Dan, Yes, I bought the boat local and I used a broker. My personal experience was very smooth and I would recommend them. I personally used SeaLake Yachts in Seebrook. The broker that I used there was Doug Hughes. Look for their website at www.seaylakeyachts.com. I guess I should add that I am not affiliated with them in anyway, I just had a very good experience. Just make certain that you get a good survey on the boat you are looking at. Good Luck
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Dan Metzler
Local questions
David, if you have the time my e-mail is danlmetzler@aol.com, I would like to ask you some local questions about the Clear Lake area. Oh, and I found some great information about the history of the Catalina 30 on the International Catalina 30 Association web site, as was suggested earlier. Thanks for everyones help, this site is such a great resource!
David, if you have the time my e-mail is danlmetzler@aol.com, I would like to ask you some local questions about the Clear Lake area. Oh, and I found some great information about the history of the Catalina 30 on the International Catalina 30 Association web site, as was suggested earlier. Thanks for everyones help, this site is such a great resource!
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David
RE: local questions
Hey Dan, I would be happy to answer some local questions about the area, but you aren't going to believe this. I don't have a personal email. I visit this site via work computers. If you want to ask some questions on this forum, I will do the best I can to answer them.
Hey Dan, I would be happy to answer some local questions about the area, but you aren't going to believe this. I don't have a personal email. I visit this site via work computers. If you want to ask some questions on this forum, I will do the best I can to answer them.
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