I am looking seriously at a 1988 Catalina 27 (TALL rig w/bowsprint, 16HP, wheel). In general how important would you rate the following: 1) STD Vs TALL rig. Is there a significant advantage with a TALL rig? The bowsprint option? Winds here are typically 5 to 25 knots. 2) HP. What is the min. HP required to run the boat in strong winds and moderate currents? 3) Tiller Vs wheel. Is the wheel much more convenient? 4) 1988 model. Would you agree that most of the initial problems with this boat were solved by this time? In other words, is a more curent model that much improved?
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Don
No, yes, maybe, yes.
1) I would't say significant advantage. I think tall rigs are slightly better upwind and in light air. TR's have a larger head sail and smaller main sail. The actual square footage is about the same. 2) I have an M-18 (14hp) that has more than enough power for this size boat. 3) The wheel/tiller debate has never been settled. A matter of personal preference. I have a wheel and love it. I can steer from just about anywhere in the cockpit, have my compass and GPS right in front of me, have a friction lock, and a great place for a cockpit table. Some say you can't feel the boat thru a wheel, which, IMHO, is total BS. That is true with hydraulic or gear steering, but not with cable steering. 4) One of the great things about Catalina is they listen to the owners and constantly make improvements based on feedback. By 1988, Catalina had improved the electrical system, upgraded the lower shroud chain plates, changed to stainless spreader sockets, improved cockpit drains, added an anchor locker, moved the forward hatch to gain better airflow below, and beefed up the bow and stern rails.
1) I would't say significant advantage. I think tall rigs are slightly better upwind and in light air. TR's have a larger head sail and smaller main sail. The actual square footage is about the same. 2) I have an M-18 (14hp) that has more than enough power for this size boat. 3) The wheel/tiller debate has never been settled. A matter of personal preference. I have a wheel and love it. I can steer from just about anywhere in the cockpit, have my compass and GPS right in front of me, have a friction lock, and a great place for a cockpit table. Some say you can't feel the boat thru a wheel, which, IMHO, is total BS. That is true with hydraulic or gear steering, but not with cable steering. 4) One of the great things about Catalina is they listen to the owners and constantly make improvements based on feedback. By 1988, Catalina had improved the electrical system, upgraded the lower shroud chain plates, changed to stainless spreader sockets, improved cockpit drains, added an anchor locker, moved the forward hatch to gain better airflow below, and beefed up the bow and stern rails.
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Michael McCann
What to Look for in C27
Bob; Don pretty much knows the 27. The bowsprit, however is not an option, it is found on the tall rig. Besides adding two feet to the mast, they made the 'J' a little longer, which makes the jib's a little larger. The main advantage to the tall rig comes in light airs, also it should be generally faster over a specified course (if properly sailed) that requires tacking, and gybing due to faster acceleration. The top speed under sail would be the same, however that is all theory. The sprit makes carrying anchors somwhat nicer, I've heard. If the choice were only tall, or standard, I would choose the tall. I'm sure the engine is adequate for moving the boat in all but hurricane conditions, just don't expect to hit hull speed against a headwind, or with a dirty bottom. Wheel, or tiller? A personal choice, some say you have a better feel with the tiller. On a 30' or less boat (7,000lb disp.) I tend to agree based on my experience, but not all boats are the same. Mike
Bob; Don pretty much knows the 27. The bowsprit, however is not an option, it is found on the tall rig. Besides adding two feet to the mast, they made the 'J' a little longer, which makes the jib's a little larger. The main advantage to the tall rig comes in light airs, also it should be generally faster over a specified course (if properly sailed) that requires tacking, and gybing due to faster acceleration. The top speed under sail would be the same, however that is all theory. The sprit makes carrying anchors somwhat nicer, I've heard. If the choice were only tall, or standard, I would choose the tall. I'm sure the engine is adequate for moving the boat in all but hurricane conditions, just don't expect to hit hull speed against a headwind, or with a dirty bottom. Wheel, or tiller? A personal choice, some say you have a better feel with the tiller. On a 30' or less boat (7,000lb disp.) I tend to agree based on my experience, but not all boats are the same. Mike
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Tom
Wheel vs Tiller
Can anyone tell me what the cost is to convert from a tiller to wheel steering set up? Thanks, Tom
Can anyone tell me what the cost is to convert from a tiller to wheel steering set up? Thanks, Tom
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
C27
If you're not used to sailing on a tall rig, I seriously doubt whether you'd be at all troubled with a standard. Yes, they're a little better in light wind but unless you're a racer, it's not gonna make that much difference. I love my tiller. I've sailed many boats with wheels and I'd still choose a tiller anyday on a smaller boat. There definitely IS a loss of "feel" with a wheel, not to mention reaction time. I would also suggest that you don't rule out outboard models. IMHO, they usually provide enough power to get you where you need to go
If you're not used to sailing on a tall rig, I seriously doubt whether you'd be at all troubled with a standard. Yes, they're a little better in light wind but unless you're a racer, it's not gonna make that much difference. I love my tiller. I've sailed many boats with wheels and I'd still choose a tiller anyday on a smaller boat. There definitely IS a loss of "feel" with a wheel, not to mention reaction time. I would also suggest that you don't rule out outboard models. IMHO, they usually provide enough power to get you where you need to go
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Bob Camarena
Listen to LaDonna
La Donna knows what she's talking about. I owned a C-27 tall rig, tiller, OB for a number of years before moving up to a C-30 and agree with everything LaDonna said. The one thing she didn't mention is the distinct advantage that an OB has over an inboard under sail. The OB powered boat will sail noticably faster since you're not dragging a prop through the water, not to mention that the boat will be lighter.
La Donna knows what she's talking about. I owned a C-27 tall rig, tiller, OB for a number of years before moving up to a C-30 and agree with everything LaDonna said. The one thing she didn't mention is the distinct advantage that an OB has over an inboard under sail. The OB powered boat will sail noticably faster since you're not dragging a prop through the water, not to mention that the boat will be lighter.
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Peter Hine
OB forever!
I had to replace my 12 year old OB about 18 months ago. A brand new 15HP Johnson 2-stroke (a 4-Strk won't fit in the lazarette w/o some semi-serious surgery) long-shaft, electric start w/hi-thrust 4 blade prop cost about $2,200, and took 2 days to install, including the remote control. Lots of power, maybe even more than needed. Takes about an hour to remove to take to the dealer for service, if need be. Another thing that is an advantage to OB's that I've never seen mentioned is the ease of clearing the prop of line or weed you might pickup. You don't have to swim (or haulout!). Just tilt up the OB, lean over the transom, and pull or cut it loose. My 27 is a 1974 std. rig with tiller. In racing, I'm passed all the time by tall rig guys in the light air of the Calif. Delta (8-12 knots), but they can't keep up in the heavy air (15-30 knots) of SF Bay. The tiller is cheaper, more responsive, easier to maintain, gives more cockpit and room below, and cheaper to rig an autopilot to. By '88 it's true most of the problem areas had been worked out, but retrofits to fix all those weaknesses are available from Catalina, most for under $100. About the only earlier weakness that isn't practical to fix is the mild-steel keelbolts. But if you're in freshwater, you get a good survey so you know what you have, keep the bilge dry (easy with an OB), and keep the bolts painted, you'll have no problem. And an early OB model is probably $5,000 or more cheaper than a later diesel.
I had to replace my 12 year old OB about 18 months ago. A brand new 15HP Johnson 2-stroke (a 4-Strk won't fit in the lazarette w/o some semi-serious surgery) long-shaft, electric start w/hi-thrust 4 blade prop cost about $2,200, and took 2 days to install, including the remote control. Lots of power, maybe even more than needed. Takes about an hour to remove to take to the dealer for service, if need be. Another thing that is an advantage to OB's that I've never seen mentioned is the ease of clearing the prop of line or weed you might pickup. You don't have to swim (or haulout!). Just tilt up the OB, lean over the transom, and pull or cut it loose. My 27 is a 1974 std. rig with tiller. In racing, I'm passed all the time by tall rig guys in the light air of the Calif. Delta (8-12 knots), but they can't keep up in the heavy air (15-30 knots) of SF Bay. The tiller is cheaper, more responsive, easier to maintain, gives more cockpit and room below, and cheaper to rig an autopilot to. By '88 it's true most of the problem areas had been worked out, but retrofits to fix all those weaknesses are available from Catalina, most for under $100. About the only earlier weakness that isn't practical to fix is the mild-steel keelbolts. But if you're in freshwater, you get a good survey so you know what you have, keep the bilge dry (easy with an OB), and keep the bolts painted, you'll have no problem. And an early OB model is probably $5,000 or more cheaper than a later diesel.
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