27' Catalina sloop

[Crunch]

My search for a "nice" Bayfield sloop has led me down a dead end path.

I am considering a 27' Catalina sloop early 80's vintage. What and where should I be looking for issues?
I know survey!!! but I'd like some feedback from you guys and gals.

Anyone use one in blue water?
thanks,
Tom

[capttb]

You can't spit in any marina in So. Calif. without hitting a Cat 27 and they are used extensively for coastal cruising to about 50 NM on what is essentially an 'open' coast, how blue you want to get in a 27' boat ?

[blt2ski]

Lots around, can go reasonably far off sore in good conditions. Just watch out of a fellow named (artby)jody try's to sell you an excellent in shape C27! run, very far, very fast etc. Altho the sails for it are in pretty good shape, will not disCUSS the hull.

With that in mind, some can have issues with the deck core, ie rot! A surveyor worth his/her salt should pick this up.

marty

[Crunch]

OHH boy, I am just probing for info in general.

[petegingras]

You're gonna find the fiberglass hull a little thinner than the 1970's Catalina 27. You're gonna find the atomic four gasoline engine, if it hasn't been replaced. The atomics are good but gas is not the ideal in the marine environment. You might even find home use gate valves on your thru-hulls (think water spicket on your water hose at the house). They're easy enough to replace, but don't let them stay aboard. You're probably going to find a wheel as a helm with pulley mechanism, it’ll be worn if it hasn’t had TLC. You’ll find a keel that has a distinct rust line that delineates the marriage of lead to that of fiberglass, then check the keel bolts. You’ll find a companion way that is wide and easy to use, but will take a lot of water in rain and sea spray.

You’ll also find the price under $12,000, but some as low at $6,000, and finally you’ll also find another ready buyer when you want to upgrade.

Good luck

[Faster]

The C 27 is the Chevy Malibu of the seas... lots around, fine for their intended purposes and a much better performer than the Bayfield 25.... although you definitely lose that "character" look.

I'm not sure you'll find many 27s with A4s... C30s, yes, but most 27s were either outboard or diesel, at least in our area. A C27 with wheel steering is rarer still. But they are a decent boat for starters, and have gotten thousands of people into coastal cruising over the past several decades.

It would be worth taking a look at other similar boats as a comparison, Ranger 28 or 29, CS 27, C&C 27, Sabre 28, Viking 28... in some cases the prices may be slightly higher, but you may find them more to your liking in other areas.

[TAK]

As a former owner of a c27.. w couple of things to look for :

Everything!! but especially the keel joint, the rudder shaft, The chainplates and shrounds, windows and deck for delame.. that ought to keep you busy.. its a good coastal boat IMO.. fun to sail - I would opt for the tiller / an inboard diesel. Get a survey !!

[Crunch]

maybe I should stay away,,, I already enough on my hands with other hobbies...

I try to look at Mahina Expedition - Offshore Cruising Instruction for info on certain lablels I find that some are not listed as in Almand I find a few of these listed in the Southeast but not much info.

Thanks guys for sharing info,,,,

[cardiacpaul]

sigh....
the most popular configuration for a Catalina 27 was the tall rig, tiller and inboard atomic 4. period.
Only a handful of the over 6000 built had an outboard well, and less than 700 came equipped with a wheel. If its got a wheel, most likely someone other than Butler did it.

Problem areas?
they've been mentioned above, but, take them with a grain of salt. MANY 30 year old Cat27 are doing just fine, with minimal problems.
The upside to one is that Catalina is in business, and if you give 'em your hull number, theres a good possibility they'll tell you what came on the boat, and have replacements in stock.
Yea, I owned one. loved it. simple to sail, hard to get into trouble, easy to fix. NOT a "bluewater" boat. (then again, not many 27 footers are at the price of a used cat27)

[TAK]

At least one C27 went around the world. If that's you goal then you might want to consider soemthing else - but one adage I think is very true.. Its more about the sailor than the boat.