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Looking
I don''t consider myself ''anti-Catalina'' (nor ''pro'') but your question reminds me of how Ralph Naranjo (of the Naval Academy & CW Magazine) answers this question: He suggests you first consider the strength & suitability of 3 key areas: the basic strength of the monocoque hull/deck structure, the rudder & steering gear, and the rig and its substructure. You need all 3 of these to be up to the task.
Rich H''s link speaks to all three of these. The steering gear failed because it reportedly had been designed, along the adjacent transom structure, inadequately. Catalina has reengineered the attachment structure of the steering gear, but what is now the weak link? (The aluminum emergency tiller is yet another issue but one that exists on many boats). As you picture the hull/deck structure being repeatedly worked by the wave trains - and it sounded as tho'' this ''racking'' or twisting and wrending of the hull/deck structure was being imposed by only moderate sea states - you can appreciate the importance of the hull/deck joint. (This is why some boat builders glass the entire joint; this ''piece'' of the ''monocoque structure'' issue simply goes away). It looks like the rig held up on the whole, altho'' the link demonstrates the disability than can be visited on a boat by the roller furling unit breaking...and it appears the owner had no back-up (solent or staysail) stay in anticipation of this event.
Catalina 36''s have been almost everywhere on the earth''s oceans by this point. I happened to notice one that''s listed by one of Australia''s broker this weekend, having sailed there from the U.S. West Coast. It''s probably reasonable to believe that the boat got there due to a large amount of diligence and skill from the owner...and perhaps a fortunate set of weather windows along the way.
Jack
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