Irwin 33 vs Catalina 30

[Incantation]

Hey all,

So I have decided to upgrade, and after spending a lot of time researching the local market I have found two boats:
1975 Irwin 33
1976 Catalina 30

I love the Irwin.. the moment I walked up to it I was taken aback by its lines. Problem is, it has been neglected and is in need of a lot of work. I am handy with motors and also have a lot of experience working with electrical and fibreglass; there isn't anything that concerns me outright or wouldn't be within the scope of my ability there. Having said that the interior is tired and would require gutting and a complete refinish, new cushions, new electrical, and various other projects. The motor is the Yanmar 2QM15, and was recently refurbed by the current owner who has extensive mechanical expertise. It doesn't like to start when cold but once warmed up runs well, but it's a bit loud. The rigging is sound, sails are new-ish and all the lines look good. Structurally the boat is sound. It is turnkey in the sense that I can sail it tomorrow, however there is much work to be done.. it needs love.

The catalina has been meticulously maintained; the owner has also upgraded much of it.. everything from fabbing a custom icebox to building a beautiful electrical panel/stereo mount.. he put a lot of time, thought, and energy and has beautifully executed everything he has worked on. Even the motor is near-mint. The owner is a retired shop-teacher and has maintained it religiously and could answer every question I had about the motor, and then some. The interior needs nothing.. it's basically a turn key boat in need of a good cleaning and a bottom coat. The owner also explained to me the inherent flaws in the catalina (the smiling keel, for example) and how he has either remedied them or prevented them through diligence with maintenance. The motor is the Atomic4.

I am hoping people here with experience with either one or preferably both boats could shed any light that might help make my decision easier.

Are there any inherent flaws in the Irwin design that I should know about? Catastrophic failures?

So what do I do .. take on a project boat that may have some hidden surprises? Or buy a turn-key boat that will likely need nothing other than a good cleaning? The Catalina is more expensive, and priced at the ceiling of my budget, but a great deal at that, whereas the Irwin is about 75% of my budget which will leave me about 5K for upgrades. I do plan to do all the work myself, and I am capable. But I also know that boats aren't cheap and to expect the unexpected.

It's a tough one for me.. both are beautiful boats, but when I look at the Irwin it really does it for me, and I don't see problems.. I see potential.

But being young (relatively), and inexperienced with owning a large'ish vessel of my own.. perhaps the many voices of experience here can help clear this cloud of uncertainty of mine. I look at the Irwin and see potential but I don't want to be blinded by love I guess. And it isn't as though I would be settling buying the Catalina..

Both owners are retirees with some 30 years experience, very polite and friendly and offered to stay in touch and help me with any information I might need or even come down to the boat and advise me if necessary.. they are both good guys and I believe they have been honest and forthcoming with their information; this weighs more heavily on the Irwin end as I can see the boat will need more work - her owner simply moved on because of uncontrollable circumstances but I can see he doesn't want to let her go.

Someone please end the madness!!

[JimMcGee]

You'll always spend more than you think on boats. There's a huge group of Catalina owners, many online who can help and offer advice when needed and Catalina is still in business and still suports owners of older boats. You can even find sites like Catalina Direct that specialize in hard to find parts for these boats. All points in favor of the Catalina.

That said no one "needs" a boat. It's something you buy because you want it, and there's something to be said for buying a boat that you love.

Don't end the madness, just go with it. Sounds like you'll be OK either way.

Jim

[rikhall]

What is your goal. To buy a boat to fix up and sail or to go sailing. We have an Irwin and love her. There is a great Irwin user's group with lots of support.

But - if you buy the Irwin and don't fix it up you won't sail her.

Sounds to me like you should get a good survey done on the Catalina and based on that - make an offer.

Rik

[JimMcGee]

ROTFLOL, the Catalina guy says follow your heart look at the Irwin, the Irwin guy is saying be practical, look at the Catalina.

At least we cleared up your confusion

[tommays]

is the 1976 Catalina 30 still and gas Atomic 4 powerd or diesel and does it still have the orginal plwood in the keel sump

As those would be two known high dollar issues with the C30

[Incantation]

^ The Cat30 is Atomic4.. the original motor but it looks and runs great. It is also freshwater cooled (internal) with heat exchanger so it makes me feel more confident that it will run a long time.

The current owner did the keel sump fix.. glassed it all in nicely too.

If i could be sure the Irwin motor would run smooth for many years I would feel more comfortable about it; with the Catalina it is not a concern at all.

rikhall would you mind giving me the Irwin forum url please? She is sailable right now but cosmetically there is much to do.. I'd have to put her on the hard for a week at least; the rest I could do whilst she was at her slip.

I guess I know the Cat30 is the sensible choice but I am trying to rationalize picking the Irwin33. Cat30 = higher initial cost but more confident that she wouldn't need anything for a while. Irwin33 lower initial cost but will probably cost the same once I get her cleaned up.. overall I would prefer her. If only I could be confident in the motor. Perhaps a motor survey is something I should consider.