[Mkfcdl]

I probably would agree that the Catalinas are top-end coastal boats rather than low-end true bluewater boats. Having said that, I don't want or need a true bluewater boat--I need a good cruising boat that can point well, single-hand well, be comfortable when I'm ready to sleep but can handle a blow.

I recently singled-handed my Catalina 400 across the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston to Key West--which I think qualifies as an offshore passage. During this trip I was caught in two cold fronts (the first on purpose because it was supposed to be a "weak" front and would give me a downwind ride towards the Keys) both of which produced 35-40 knot winds and 15-20 ft seas. The second front gave me 20-25 ft breaking seas during the 24 hours prior to the front from strong southerly flow coming up from the Yucatan channel. So, while I planned for easier conditions, the weather had other ideas. Fortunately, the 400 performed like a champ in steep seas; the first was in following seas and the second in a close beat which turned into confused seas. I never had water in the cockpit, never felt overpowered, just got tired from not having a crewmate. When I had to sleep during the worst conditions I would set the autopilot and sleep in the cockpit with a timer alarm. The autopilot never let go which tells me the boat was balanced. The rest of the trip was uneventful except for fouling the prop on some fishing line/rope/tangle during a period of no wind--hove to and swam under to cut it away. The only damage sustained the whole trip was a tear in my headsail which I repaired in the cockpit.

So, while I don't think of my boat as a "bluewater" boat, I certainly have a lot of respect for its handling during a blow in sloppy conditions. My vote is to keep my Catalina.

Hope this helps,
Mark