Catalina 309 Purchase

[Sailormann]

This is something to seriously consider too: ...great performer, lots of room, nicely built hulls...

YachtWorld.com Boats and Yachts for Sale

[Denr]

A friend of mine asked me to go look at the 309 with him. My impression is that it had very little storage capacity (shallow small lockers) cramped cockpit not that it wasn't big but just poorly laid out, can't sit on the coaming and reach the wheel, don't know if Catalina thinks eveyone sits behind the wheel while under sail, how can you see the telltales? Constuction not better than average, lots of unfinished fibreglass areas in places around the boat. I think it would make a very poor choice, there are a bunch of used boats out there that would be better choices, Pearsons, O'day, Tartans etc. Did I mention the butt ugly sugarscoop transoms, only a mother could love it.

[Giulietta]

Denr..I recall someone explaining it to me once..what are sugarscoop transoms? Thanks

[tommyt]

Now there is a surprise....Denr does not like a Catalina...or a Colgate 26.

The boat will work for your purposes, but I would agree that there are a lot of others out there that should satisfy your needs as well. As someone who has bought new, because it was easy and I could, the first year depreciation can be taken by a previous owner and save you 20%. Frank and Gerry have priced the 309 very well, but 20% of $100K is still some cash. There are over 10,000 Catalina 30's out there. It was the predessor of the 309 and is a great boat for what you plan to use it for.

Good luck, and if you pass Denr....wave!

[sailingdog]

Giu-

On a boat, it refers to a transom that opens to the water, usually with a swim platform and stairs, and looks a bit like a sugar scoop.

This is a sugar scoop:



This is a boat with a sugar scoop transom:

[TrueBlue]

[Denr]

Not a chance a Catalina 38 passes me let alone a 31 footer TommyT unless I was anchored! My other favorite boat is a MacGregor 26, not the Colgate!

[tommyt]

Denr,

I knew that waving as passing comment would get a result. I agree, maybe dragging anchor?