Catalina 42

[Peter Owen]

In my seemingly unending search for the perfect Tanton to say nothing of the money to buy it, I've just come across a 1991 Catalina 42 whch was brought across to Europe in its early days and on which VAT has been paid.

It appears to be a well looked after, well maintained boat and I've had a long chat with the owner who's obviously quite proud of her - a good sign, methinks. I'm also quite impressed by the layout as a liveaboard in warmer airs where the seemingly large cockpit, well laid out salon and and pullman berth f'ward look ideal for a liveaboard making shortish passages - a little less sure about longer haul stuff but that's slipping from my agenda so .....

Has anybody got any experience of Catalina of this size from around this time? Good or bad, technical strengths/weaknesses, sailing characteristics, liveaboardability , actual experience or heresay are all grist to our mill.

I also understand that she's not subject to the RCD as she was imported before that came into effect - any comments/thoughts on whether this is for real?

Thanks for your help

[edsailing]

Hi Peter,

Yes, as I understand it the RCD requirements do not apply to boats pre 1998 (June I think), as this was the year it was introduced. Boats pre this time are exempt.

Try Googling it, I'm pretty sure you will find what you need.

I've sailed a smaller Catalina, 34' I think. It was well balanced and sailed well.

[karenmmc]

Hi - we chartered a 1995 Catalina 42 in the BVI a few years ago. It was in a "second tier" charter company, so was certainly not new at the time. I agree that the layout was good (two couples shared the boat) - storage was not so great, but I'm sure you could make modifications as necessary. We did have lots of problems with the hatches leaking - but this could certainly just be a lack of maintenance. I certainly wouldn't consider this a "blue-water" boat - but that doesn't sound like what you really need.

[Peter Owen]

Thanks Ed, thanks Karen, what I actually need is probably the biggest problem!

Having come to sailing rather late, whatever it is is going to be my first and, hopefully, last boat and, while I've still got that adventuresome itch to do some of the long passages, I'm in the process of giving in to the practical view that they would probably be better done on someone else's boat as crew - if at all!

That said, it all being fairly new to me, I'm sure that Greece, Turkey maybe the Black Sea would provide more than enough of interest and plenty of challenges for this older new boy.

Trouble for me is that, while there are plenty of boats on offer, there aren't that many that grab my attention - this Catalina is one but it's already bigger than I was considering by a foot or three. I've also been taken by a 1985 Sweden 38 which might need some work on its teak decking - which I dislike anyway so ..

... I guess that this is the way that it is - cars are so much easier and cheaper!

Thanks again for your help

Peter

[Istioploos]

Originally Posted by Peter Owen

That said, it all being fairly new to me, I'm sure that Greece, Turkey maybe the Black Sea would provide more than enough of interest and plenty of challenges for this older new boy.

Peter when you come to cruise in Greece, Turkey, or the Black Sea do not hesitate to contact this other older boy.

Vasilis

[Peter Owen]

Originally Posted by Istioploos

Peter when you come to cruise in Greece, Turkey, or the Black Sea do not hesitate to contact this other older boy.

Vasilis

Kind thought, Vasilis, but as they say in Liverpool, Í wouldn't hold your breath waiting for me to appear! If, on the other hand, you come across any owner desperate to sell a really nice, well equipped 38-40 footer for little money in the region ...... just let me know!

Kind regards

[Istioploos]

Originally Posted by Peter Owen

Kind thought, Vasilis, but as they say in Liverpool, Í wouldn't hold your breath waiting for me to appear! If, on the other hand, you come across any owner desperate to sell a really nice, well equipped 38-40 footer for little money in the region ...... just let me know!

Will do but not for a while. I will be back in Greece in April.

[svReboot]

Originally Posted by karenmmc

I certainly wouldn't consider this a "blue-water" boat - but that doesn't sound like what you really need.

Not knowing karenmmc's definition of a blue water boat I can only point out that with over 1,000 made (and still in production) this is the most successful 42 foot design in history. I guess those who have raced them in such races as the Pac Cup, Newport Bermuda, Fastnet, etc.; those who have circumnavigated on them, and those who have lived aboard them successfully for years didn't go "blue-water."

A 1991 would be a "Mark I" design, the "Mark II" modifications were introduced in 1995.

May I suggest you go to http://catalina42.org the web site of the very large and active Catalina 42 International Association for a lot more information.

[Peter Owen]

Thanks Roger, I'm sure that the definition of "blue water boat" depends on whom you ask but I get both takes on what looks to me that very solid piece of kit but that could just be down to my inexperience.

I'm probably going to have a proper look in February when she's due back in the water so the owner better hope that the markets have stopped dickering about so that, if she's anything like as good in reality as I think she might be on paper, I'll be in a position to make an offer!