Semi-Newbie Question

[MikeAZ]

Hello All,
I’m seriously thinking about acquiring a Catalina 30, but after scouring post for a few days I see many different points of view. The worst being if you untie from the dock it will sink.
A bit about myself. I had a Catalina 25 for a few years in the 80's and have quite a bit of time sailing the Channel Islands out of Ventura, Ca. A good place to learn in my opnion considering the radical wind, current and swell changes. I also have several 2 to 3 week trips in the same area driving a commercial fishing boat, so I do know when to run and hide. San Miguel with the Santa Annas is not a pretty place. I also raced an outboard capsuled tunnel boat for a few years, so I do have some time on the water.
I plan on slipping this boat in San Diego for a get away from the Phoenix summers ( floating condo ) but would also like to do some occasional cruising. Is the Cat 30 capable of the Baja Ha Ha? Could I do a trip north for a few weeks?
The 1st time I seen the inside of the 30 was wow look at all of the room. I have a family with a 3 year old daughter and a son?? on the way. I am trading my 35' motorhome so I will be down sizing to the wife and need as much room as possible in my budget.

Thanks for any help and insight

Mike

[artbyjody]

Check out the Catalina Owner groups - there is a wide number of C-30s that do that trip each year. IMHO its more than capable for that particular passage...

[MikeAZ]

Thanks, I will

[maxmunger]

Goto International Catalina 30 Association for lots of info.
The boat is more than capable of offshore trips on the CA coast. They do not sink very easy! There are 6900 of them!

[sailhog]

Mike,
I have a wife, two little girls and a 1980 C30. I can't think of a better boat in the price range for a young family. We sail up and down the Carolina and Georgia coast... it's a riot!

[camaraderie]

Mike...I am a fan of the C30 and think they ae just a great boat for near coastal family cruising. I have NOT done the Baja...but it seems from what I've read that the return trip can be rather a tough uphill slog some years and is hard on boats and gear and crews. While my guess is that a Cat30 could do it, you also have a very young family aboard and so I will chime in with a warning that the C30 may be pushing its limits doing what you propose and that is not a good thing unless the crew is seasoned and adult and understands the risks.

[booloney]

Originally Posted by maxmunger

Goto Catalina 30 Association for lots of info.

Forgive the semi-hijack, but I've been to the C30 site, and they don't seem to have a good forum or mesage boards. Anyone like catalinaownersdotcom?

Should you discuss Catalina in the "General" board here? That seems to have the most traffic of all three options...