[rakasha681]

I'm sure you could cruise around the Caribbean in just about anything if you really wanted to, but realisticly, is a 30' catalina sloop an ok boat to cruise on if your fine with the small size? How about taking a boat like that outside the caribbean, like from the caribbean to australia, or fiji?

[redbopeep]

rakasha681, on Dec 14 2008, 08:16 PM, said:

I'm sure you could cruise around the Caribbean in just about anything if you really wanted to, but realisticly, is a 30' catalina sloop an ok boat to cruise on if your fine with the small size? How about taking a boat like that outside the caribbean, like from the caribbean to australia, or fiji?

You might want to check out this discussion on an earlier CL topic:

link

[imagine2frolic]

More than what the boat is capable of. Is what is the skipper capable of? People having taken the most unlikely craft around the world, and crossed oceans. A good skipper can take just about anything anywhere. A badf skipper can lose the finest boat in calm seas.......i2f

[Bajamas]

Link to Atom. A 28' Triton that made 2 circumnavigations (One, I believe, without engine or power):

http://www.atomvoyages.com/

Bajamas

[redbopeep]

Bajamas, on Dec 16 2008, 05:52 AM, said:

Link to Atom. A 28' Triton that made 2 circumnavigations (One, I believe, without engine or power):

http://www.atomvoyages.com/

Bajamas

A Triton is a very different boat than a Catalina...the first boat over 14' that I sailed on was a Triton. Very sound little boat. Can't say the same for the small Catalinas.

[Aquaria]

First of all, it is not a matter of size! There were times when a boat of 30ft was a normal size to take on extended cruises.
So, it is just a matter of comfort and maybe luxury that lets sailors choose bigger boats nowadays.
Back in the 70ies and 80ies many boats of around 30ft were built for offshore sailing, today built boats of this size are most times light weight coastal cruisers with spacious interiors and in fact good sailing performance in decent conditions that meet the weekenders needs (sailing a couple hours and then tying up an the marina for the night..)

And I did not know the 28' Triton before. What a nice little rugged boat!

Cheers
Uwe
perfectly content with 32ft
SY Aquaria

[redbopeep]

Aquaria, on Dec 17 2008, 09:51 AM, said:

There were times when a boat of 30ft was a normal size to take on extended cruises.
SY Aquaria

If you want a wonderful bluewater boat that is small--find a Rawson 30! They're great, solid, and can go anywhere you'd like to take them. We were privileged to own on for two years and can attest to the seaworthiness of the design. Further, they're often inexpensive (may require some "fix up") ranging in price from $5K to $35K depending upon condition, electronics, etc.

[Bellamar]

Catalina's are always under rated. Get a self steer, some solar panels, a bimini and dodger and start in the Caribbean. The learning curve is steep and after a couple of overnighters you'll understand the plus and minus of the boat. I've learned over the years, Sail what you got.

[redbopeep]

Bellamar, on Apr 11 2009, 07:23 PM, said:

Catalina's are always under rated. Get a self steer, some solar panels, a bimini and dodger and start in the Caribbean. The learning curve is steep and after a couple of overnighters you'll understand the plus and minus of the boat. I've learned over the years, Sail what you got.

"under rated?" No, many folks think highly of the Catalinas--just not for cruising. I know many people who love their small Catalinas for what they are--an inexpensive boat that is great for the Wednesday night harbor races and great for weekend trips and mild coastal cruising. They are by no means built to withstand the rigors of long passages involving ocean crossing and someone who pushes one into real cruising service is likely to be disappointed as these boats won't hold up over time to the punishment of the long distance cruising environment. It's just not what they were built for.

One can easily get a better small cruising vessel for the same money as a Catalina. If one already owns a Catalina, I'd still suggest selling and getting into a different small boat designed for cruising. If someone hands you a Catalina 30 on a silver platter, fully outfitted for cruising with every bell and whistle...maybe...nah...just sell it--they're easy to sell since everyone knows what they are and they're a respectable boat--and take the money to find a real cruising boat.

[svReboot]

redbopeep, on Apr 12 2009, 04:27 PM, said:

"under rated?" No, many folks think highly of the Catalinas--just not for cruising. I know many people who love their small Catalinas for what they are--an inexpensive boat that is great for the Wednesday night harbor races and great for weekend trips and mild coastal cruising. They are by no means built to withstand the rigors of long passages involving ocean crossing and someone who pushes one into real cruising service is likely to be disappointed as these boats won't hold up over time to the punishment of the long distance cruising environment. It's just not what they were built for.

You are of course welcome to your opinion. However a large number of Catalina sailboats are rated by the ABYC as Category "A" - Ocean including the Catalina 30 MK III.

See http://www.catalinay....com/certif.cfm

I will not argue about the merits of a Catalina vs other designs. However it is incorrect to say "It's just now what they were buit for."

[MMNETSEA]

Of course the Catalina can sail the oceans - as most sailboats have proven -
However, very few Catalinas (and there are many) under 40ft that are found cruising the oceans. Whatever the reason, the fact is that they are not to be seen in anchorages, marinas - or in broker's listings outside the USA.

[redbopeep]

svReboot, on Apr 12 2009, 07:29 PM, said:

it is incorrect to say "It's just now what they were buit for."

Looking into it--you're right, technically, the Catalina 30 (MK III and others) were actually built for cruising. That's amazing to me since here in So Cal where there are many, many, many Catalinas sailing, no one that I know of... including Catalina owners...thinks of these boats as real cruising boats. But rather as fun weekend boats that one can also do a little coastal cruising in.

From my interaction with numerous Catalina owners, I always figured the boats were marketed for the weekend sailor/coastal cruiser. Live and learn...

Oh, and now that I look at it, the Catalina 30 is actually a 34' boat! more learning...It seems they jump from the 27 which IS 27' LOA to the 30 which is 34' LOA...must be a 30' waterline? Who'd have known...