Thinking of upgrading

[dph123]

Hello all. I just sold my 1972 c22 which I had for about a year. A few weeks ago I had a catastrophic failure where the 3 year old motor mount cracked leaving the motor submerged and a small electrical fire that fried the electronics.

My wife is fine with sailing but she told me in no uncertain terms my kids will not go on the old boat.

I caught the bug and want a boat that better fits my family for cruising the Puget Sound and eventually beyond. The cat 30 was highly recommended but I am a bit anxious about something so big. I was able to handle the 22 without problem but wonder if I am making too big a jump. Anyone make the jump after limited experience in a smaller boat? Did it work out okay?

Thanks in advance

Dave.

 

[Joe]

your small boat experience will make you a better big boat sailor.....go for it.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I went from a 24 for a 31. I agree with Joe, having the small boat experience will make it easier going to a big boat. There are plenty of people that go right for the big boat. I am not too sure of this approach. For instance there is a guy at my marina that bought a Catalina 42 as his first boat. Two weeks ago, we watched in amazement as he somehow managed to bet the boat stuck across the opening of the slip.

Going from an outboard to an inboard is the real big jump. It is different for maintenance but much better for operation. After the first year you will be so glad you made the switch.

As for the Catalinas, I have a C310 and love it. I know a lot of people with older C30s that like them. I would suggest getting on a couple of C30s and maybe some 27s as well and see what you and the wife are comfortable on.

 

[Stu Jackson]

C22, C25 to C34. The jumps are easy if you know how to use a midships spring line.

 

[Mikem]

I agree with Joe about going to the bigger boat. They are less tender (less tippy), are more sea kindly (handle rougher water better), have more amenities, and of course more room. If you are looking for a Cat 27 or 30 Seattle Craigslist has many on the market right now at some really good prices. Don't know how many children you have but they do grow so if you don't want to make intermediate purchases, 25 to 27 to 30, if you could swing a 30 you could have much fun with it for years to come. At the prices asked for some of the Cat 30s on the Seattle market, with reasonable care you could probably come close to maintaining the purchase price for several years.

 

[jimmcgee]

I made the same jump from a Cat 22 to a Cat 30. You'll be a little nervous the first couple of times docking then you'll be OK. You'll be surprised how much more stable the 30 is out on the water.

Like the Cat 22 the Cat 30 was made for many years and there're a LOT of differences from the early models to the later models.

Check out http://www.catalina30.com/ for information on the Cat 30 and http://www.catalina30.com/C30Yacht/C30Yacht.htm for basic differences between the models. Some time looking at pics on Yachtworld will give you an better idea of the interior differences.

 

[foolproof]

Do it! We went from a 25 to a 30, and the difference is night and day. I am way more at ease in the 30 than the 25...the smaller boat was a lot more frightening in heavy, gusty winds because it was so tender. My 30 is a tall rig and handles the gusts so much better. Sure, it will heel, but the keel does so much better at stabilizing the ride and makes it so much more comfortable!

One BIG concern I had with my 30 was that it had no cam cleats for the jib...you simply tie them off at a cleat. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to dump the jib if necessary in a strong gust. Turns out to not be a problem; the boat tends to weather well enough which helps, and I now know that it would be impossible to blow it over on a lake in normal Missouri winds. In fact, I am going to play with my rig to lessen the weathering tendency because the boat is so dang stable. It's a blast to turn away from the wind in a 15-20 knot gust and feel the power of the boat! It takes a good heel, but stays heeled at the same angle and just powers right through the gust. I would NEVER say that about my 25!

Also, mine has a diesel where my 25 had a 9.9 outboard. With the outboard I had to reach over the transom to change gears and adjust the throttle, and it always seemed to jump out of the water if I tried to back down too hard. With the diesel, I put the controls right on the steering post, so everything falls easily to hand. Additionally, the diesel, while only 11 hp, is plenty strong to move the boat around the lake I sail on.

Docking was a big concern for me, but I got used to the bigger boat after just a couple trips. I practiced backing down on the open water so I knew what to expect when I did it at the dock. This is my first season with the 30 and I'm already very comfortable docking.

As far as 27 vs. 30 feet, I would go straight to the 30. You will find the extra beam and length make a huge difference in interior space. The 30 gives you plenty of room to move around with 2 people aboard, and is manageable with 4 aboard...not sure you could say that about the 27.

I am biased of course, but my suggestion to you is to go for it. You will not regret it!

 

[kps85]

I went straight to a 30 for my first boat. not scary outside marinas but scar initially on side them. once you know how shes going to handle you use that to your advantage. ie you can do a quick three point turn inside your boat length going to starboard bit can't do that go to port. Go for it!!!!!

 

[Team118]

Foolproof hit it on the head.

After 5-6 years on a 22, I went out and bought a 30. Spent the winter refinishing it and have never regretted it.

The 22 was a tiller and the 30 is a wheel which is different feel and much easier to leave unattended. I too had the same reservations about the jib sheets not being secured by cam cleats, but realized that I don't have to worry about dumping wind that way.

I love the size, the fact I'm SO HIGH above the water compared to the 22 and that I'm able to be a snob to other 22's just the way other 30's were a snob to me!!! nah, not really!

Depending on your skill levels, you can find some good buys out there. I paid $9,500 for mine and while she's a 1977 and needed about $4-5k in various upgrades, I still think that overall that was a fair price.

Go for it! Find that perfect 30 to you and enjoy!
Chris

 

[Dan Hill]

Ditto on the "go for it"

We upgraded from a 24 to a 28.5 this past winter layup.

I had to transport the bigger boat myself thru the NYS canal system this spring.

25 locks and 300 miles in 7 days will teach you fast.

But we had her pegged the first day!

Just remember, make prop walk your friend, not your foe.

GL
Dan

 

[GreenLight]

We jumped from a Flying Scot (19 ft daysailer) to a 30. Actually found the 30 easier to handle., especially when you get out with a lot of powerboat wake. The first couple of years that we had our 30 my wife and I hired an instructor from a local sailing school (different one every time) to go our with us on our boat the first time and go over anchoring, docking, and a lot of other fundimentals. Not too expensive and worth every penny.

 

[adirondackbob]

Just one more vote for going for it. We sailed an O'Day 23 for four seasons. It was our first boat, was great fun, and taught us a lot. After doing a week-long sailing school aboard a 43-footer during our fourth season, we decided we needed a bigger boat to do the kind of cruising that wasn't really comfortable aboard our O'Day. So we bought our C30 that year. The first day we sailed her, the Admiral said nervously, "This is a big freakin' boat!" Before the end of that season the Admiral was already talking about *bigger* boat! We love the C30: forgiving and fun under sail and very comfortable below. My experience says that if you go for a 27 you'll soon want the 30 or 34. Good luck!

Bob

 

[Bob4203]

It's simply an evolutionary process......

Kind of reminds me of the movie "Hoosiers" when the small town basketball team makes it to the state championship in Indianapolis and the team is blown away by the size of the stadium. Its then the coach asks some team members to measure the distance from the floor to the hoop. "It's the same size we play on at home fellas".

Going from a 22 footer to a 30 footer only changes one thing. The winches work the same but are larger, the ropes in your hand feel larger, you turn a key to start your engine, you have two battery's, the standing rigging is bigger and the head down below allows you to stand up! Your movin up......

So get the 30 and in a few months or sailing seasons when its all very home like and comfortable I'll bet your thoughts will trend toward that 45 footer you have been admiring and the long distant voyages or living aboard that sets your dreams even further.

Welcome aboard

Bob
1988 Mark II
"Breezin II"

 

[jrowan]

I have never heard a sailor complain that their boat is too big (maybe just that the dock is too small!) but the complaints & regrets usually arise from a boat being too small, not enough headroom, or storage, or cockpit has nowhere to put your feet, or I can't even fit in the head compartment, the bunks are too small to sleep on....I think that you will find that it will take a few years before you can outgrow a Catalina 30. Even Jack Hornor the famous marine surveyor says, "The Catalina 30 is hard to beat." & for all the criticizing he may have made bout Catalinas over the years, guess what he owns.....A Catalina. (Although its a bit bigger, A C-42). Bigger is usually better in the boat world. I have always wanted a C 30 & they don't dissapoint. Cheers.

 

[shipwreck66]

I was nervous jumping from a C22 to the C27, but soon fell in love, wouldn't hesitate jumping to a C30 if a good deal came through. My main reason for a 27 over a 30 was the ease of trailering when needed, ironically, I now pay a dive service to clean my hull and don't need to haul out and powerwash anymore. With a family you will definitely appreciate the beaminess of the C30 and the incredible headroom.

 

[jimmcgee]

Umm Dave, did you really think people on the Catalina 30 forum were going to tell you not to go for it?

 

[shipwreck66]

No less than a used car salesman has really great deals