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Originally Posted by MikeAZ
Sailindog,
Running from San Diego to Cabo is coastal so please tell me what is the problem, besides I'll be slow? I just noticed that you're in the NE so tell me about your trips to Cabo.
Thanks
Mike
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MikeAZ,
Catalina 30s are as plentiful here on the east coast as out on the west coast. Most sailors that have been around the docks for a while are fairly familiar with them. I don't think an experienced sailor needs to have made the trip to Cabo to express an opinion about the boat's fitness for that purpose.
I have raced on them repeatedly. They represent very good value for what they offer. They are in some respects an almost ideal introductory package for family coastal sailing, without breaking the bank. I like to think of them as the Chevy or Honda Accord of boats -- great at what they do.
However, they are not a boat I'd want to be caught in far from port if a big blow were coming. Jack Horner, a respected surveyor and boat designer, agrees and had this to say about the Catalina 30:
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"There are a number of construction and design features of the Catalina 30 that, in my mind, restrict recommended usage to coastal areas, lakes and bays, but then this is true of many production boats in this class."
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(see
Jack Horner Review )
Aside from construction details that leave it somewhat less robust than purpose-built bluewater boats, in my opinion the C30 is pretty short on water tankage for extended cruising with a family. I recall tankage in the 40 gallon range, which as a point of comparison is a little over half of what our "smaller" 31 footer carries.
But that doesn't mean the C30 wouldn't be a good choice for you. It just means you might want to give serious thought before taking your family to Cabo in it. Good luck to you.
