Catalina 30 - Anywhere on east coast

[maine89]

I've finally narrowed my options down to what I believe is the most fitting boat for my needs, a Catalina 30. I'm able to move anywhere (though with the goal of ending up in the Tampa Bay area) and looking to take advantage of that to get the best boat for my money (which I'm trying to keep under $15,000 but open to compromise).

I have made a list of ~150 Catalina 30s on the east coast that I found online. I know an online listings tells you very little, but it might tell enough to narrow down my options to a couple dozen, or perhaps a choice few that I can start seeing in person and eventually get a survey.

I was hoping the community might be able to help me narrow down the list by listing some reasons why some of these Catalina 30s should be considered more over the others (pending an in-person visit and/or survey). For example perhaps the model's year had a particular issue, a listing offers a lot of additional gear I would need to buy anyways, interior needs too much work, etc.

For example:

• #X Is too expensive for this model, regardless of condition - keep looking
• #Y Looks like a decent buy - but it's just a picture - they didn't mention how new the sails were though and on a boat that old that will be a deal breaker if the sails are due to be replaced

etc.

Thank you so much. I appreciate ANY assistance you can offer in helping me to narrow down the list!

List of Catalina 30s:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spre...thkey=COzctpYB

[sailhog]

One issue the C30s have involves the keel/hull joint. The early models had keel stubs made of plywood that are in the slow process of failing. However, the problem was corrected in 1988 and newer models. I have a 1980, which just left the yard after extensive work on the keel/hull joint that included lots of biaxal and West Systems. It isn't a permanent fix, but it's a lot better than it was.

Good luck! They're great boats.

[maine89]

Thanks sailhog,

Unfortunately I think the 88s will be out of my price range, but I'll keep an eye out!

[sailhog]

My take on the older Catalinas.... for what it's worth.... The keel/hull joint issue is manageable. You can repair it as I did and effectively arrest the crevice corrosion, and eventually replace the keel stub when time/money allow. It's a bit of work, but definitely do-able. You should be able to pick up a decent boat for $15,000 -- or even a little less. Bear in mind that there are a lot of mucked-up boats on the market. At that price point, you're going to want to pay close attention to the engine. If it's a diesel, fork over $200 - $300 to have a diesel mechanic survey the beast. If it's an A-4, have a knowledgable friend or surveyor inspect it. You'll want to know the compression readings. If it has fresh water cooling, that's a good sign the owner has demonstrated a willingness invest in preventative maintenance. Check to see see if the raw water pump has any corrosion around it. Check the standing rigging to see that the "barrel" turnbuckles have been replaced. They are doomed to fail. If they've been replaced, then the P.O. probably isn't a knucklehead. Check the steering quadrant to see if it has been maintained. If the boat's in the $15,000 range, it probably hasn't. You do this by removing the big u-shaped plate on the ceiling of the aft-berth.

Good luck!

[primerate84]

I started very similar to you, looking for a Cat 30 for around $15 to 17,000. I ended up paying $22,000 for a boat that was really ready to sail and was well taken care of. All of the work I have put in has been minor upkeep, basically the required maintenance. Mine is a 1983 with an M-25 diesel. I just replaced the batteries and the upper shrouds this year and will replace the lower shrouds and the forestay and backstay next year. If you go for a less expensive boat, you may end up spending an additional 3 to 4 grand fixing it up so that it is safe to sail. Remember, no boat is cheap (inexpensive).

[sailortjk1]

Originally Posted by sailhog

Good luck! They're great boats.

Where are you?

I mean, where is your boat?

[MarkSF]

I would look for a C30 that has evidence of being free of the keel smile and mast step issues. For example when I was looking, there was one where the owner was able to forward me a 2 year old survey showing those things checked and OK.

You'd still get it surveyed again, but it helps narrow the field down.

Also look for a good diesel. A bad engine costs a lot to replace, half the value of the boat in your case.

Personally I'd far rather spend some time narrowing the field to 2 or 3 candidates. In my case I found a couple of boats with recent surveys the owner was able to forward me. I asked them some questions about the boat's maintenance and upgrade history. We are looking for the boat which has really been looked after and, the icing on the cake, has a history of continuous equipment upgrade. They do exist!

[sailhog]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

Where are you?

I mean, where is your boat?

Here in Santa Rosa Beach, on the panhandle. The boat splashed two months ago, but I just got the engine up and running at the beginning of the month. Is your Bene in the water?

[chuck53]

You might want to check out the Catalina 30 owners forum. You just might learn a few things.