Advice on this Cat 30

[xbalancex7]

I was on this boat today and I have not sailed it yet. but I'm looking for a liveaboard and I really enjoy the feel of this boat. I have about 10k available and asking price is 14k. what are your thoughts about it? anything specific to look for on this model cat? thanks and let me know.

My 10 year plan is a coastal cruise from SF down to mabye coasta rica who knows in a perfect world maybe through the panama canal, but for now i"m happy coastal cruising SF to San diego. I want the interior space and headroom. any thoughts? Thanks for your time!

listed below are the details on this I believe it was about a 1981ish Cat

Details





Features



• Sleeps 6

• Tall solid rod rigging

• Diesel engine

• Self steering

• Roller reefing jib





Notes on condition



Over all the boat in good shape and I have done the following maintenance recently.



* Two new main batteries

* All new hoses on engine

* New engine starter

* New hoses on sanitation system

* Some new dock lines, and jib lines

* Hull recently cleaned and the diver say bottom is fine

* Took fuel tank out of boat and cleaned it



What needs to be done is:



* reattach the loose weather cover on jib

* New hoses to water tank and sink

* Recalibrate self steering unit

* Patches on 3 seat covers







>>>>>>>>>>>>>>



Details





Type: Auxiliary Sail







VESSEL PARTICULARS



Builder: Catalina Yachts, CA

Designer: Frank Butler

Year Built: 1981

Model: 30’ Catalina Tall Rig

LOA: 30’ 00”

Beam: 10’ 00”

Draft: 5’ 03”

Displacement: 10,500 lbs.

Ballast (type/amount): Lead / 4,300 lbs.

Hull Type: Fin keel / spade rudder

Material/Color: Fiberglass / white





PROPULSION SYSTEM



Type: Diesel

Hours: 450 “by meter”

Manufacturer: “Universal”

Model: M2-12A

#Cylinders/HP: 2 / 12

Year: 1993

Cooling System: Fresh water heat exchanger

Alarms: Yes

Gauges: Full @ helm

Flame arrestor: Yes

Exhaust(s): Reinforced hose

Silencer(s): Can type FRP

Reduction Gear: “HBW” 35-2R

Shaft: 1“ stainless steel

Strut/Bearing: Single leg bronze / Cutlass – slight wear

Propeller: 3 bladed bronze





MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Eng.Rm.Ventilation: 12v Blower

Insulation: None

Wheel/Tiller: “Edson” SS wheel

Bilge Pump(s)-Manual: “Whale” diaphragm in cockpit

Auto: “Rule” 3500 with float switch

Potable Water-Manual: “Whale” foot pump at galley,

hand pump at head vanity

Head: “Wilcox- Crittenden” manual

Holding Tank: Plastic

Macerator: “Jabsco”

Other: “Navtec” hydraulic backstay and boom vang





ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS



DC-Batteries/Amps: (2) 12v Gp24 deep cycle - new

Boxes: Plastic w/tops straps

Approved: Yes (ABYC E 10.7.1 – 10.7.12)

Engine Alternator/Amps: Est. 50 amps

Charger/Amps: “TrueCharge” multistage / 10

Vapor Proof Switch(es): “Perko”

AC-Shorepower: “Marinco” 30 amp inlet and cable







GALLEY EQUIPMENT



Sink(s): Stainless steel dual basin (Note)

Refrigeration: Icebox

Stove Type: “Origo” 3000 alcohol

# Burners/Oven: Two w/out oven

Tank Stowage: Integral





TANKAGE AND PLUMBING



# Fuel Tanks/Capacity: One / 20 gals

Material: Aluminum

# Water Tanks/Capacity: One / 40 gals

Material: Polyethylene

How Secured: SS strapping Framing

Raw water Strainers: Yes





ELECTRONICS/NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT



Compass(es): “Ritchie”

VHF Radio: “Standard” Horizon

Autopilot: “Raymarine” ST 4000+

Speed Log: “Signet”

Wind Indicator: “Signet” wind speed and wind point displays

Depthfinder: “Signet”

Ship’s Clock: Quartz brass





DECK EQUIPMENT



Anchor(s): (1) “West Marin” (Danforth type) 13#, (1) “Danforth” 20# (spare)

Bow roller: SS

Stanchions/Lifelines: 1” SS / double wire

Docklines: Misc. braid 3 strand

Fenders: Medium pneumatic

Covers: Main sail, winches

Swim Ladder: SS





SPARS, RIGGING AND SAILS



General Condition: Good – A number of upgrades including tall rig, rod rigging and hydraulic backstay and vang have been installed for racing.

Type of Rig/# Masts: Sloop / One, double spreader

Material: Aluminum

Keel bolts: SS – Appear good at heads

Standing Rigging: SS rod

Terminals: Peened rod ends

Turnbuckles/(pins?): SS Bronze / yes

Chainplates/Stem: SS

Running Rigging: Dacron braid

Winches: (2) “Lewmar” 42 (primary), (2) “Lewmar” 30 (secondary), (2) “Lewmar” 8, (2) “Lewmar” 16 (mast/halyards) (Note)

Rigging details (vang/traveler,etc.): “Harken” main traveler, “Norh” roller furler, “Navtec” hydraulic bacstay and boom vang

Sail inventory: Full-battened main and jib (new), main and jib (old set)





SAFETY/REQUIRED EQUIPMENT



Throwable Device: Ring-buoy 24”

PFD’s: (4) USCG Type II (33 USC 175), (2) type III

VDS: “Olin” kit (33 USC 175) (Note)

Horn/Bell: Handheld freon / NA

Radar Reflector: Suggested

Oil/Pollution Placards: Yes / Yes (33CFR151.9)

Fire Extinguishers: (2) “Kidde” 3# ABC dry chemical

[mitiempo]

For your long term use there are changes that should be made however. These include reducing the size and raising the lower edge of the companionway opening, checking all hardware for backing plates, and making sure the cabinetwork is attached to the boat in a more secure way. The Catalina 30 is not badly designed but is not really built for offshore use.
Brian

[CalebD]

Shooting from the hip I would suggest adding a solar charging panel for the batteries and upgrading to a stove/oven unit fueled by propane, which would mean adding a propane canister locker, new stove, gas lines and solenoid switch. These are for creature comforts while living aboard.
No holding tank on the boat? That is usually a requirement in NDZ (no-discharge zones in the US). Over 3 miles out it goes overboard.
Everything mitiempo suggested: raise bridge deck, backing plates, tabbing to hull cabinet work.
The 12 HP engine seems a little under powered for when you might really need it. Perhaps a stronger pitched prop can give you better propulsion if your engine can handle it.
Safety stuff like: jack lines and harnesses, SAT phone or SSB, life raft, radar, chart plotter & redundant GPS, even a drogue would be really nice to have. With the right set up you should be able to get weather info through the Satellite phone or SSB. Life raft is a CG requirement for open ocean. Radar is great when it is horrible out or foggy. Chart plotter is just icing on the cake but redundant GPS is good to have. Medical supplies.
The Catalina 30 is not badly designed but is not really built for offshore use, as posted by mitiempo. I like the C30 and wish you well.
My $.02.

[mitiempo]

I'd probably skip the radar on the west coast unless the budget allows, and the ssb and sat phone as well. I'd add an epirb though. A liferaft is a personal choice and I don't believe it is required unless you are racing offshore. At today's gps prices a good one with a spare for sure. I'd skip the chart plotter unless the budget allowed - you need the paper charts anyway. I agree on the propane - away from US and Canada it's the fuel of choice and very convenient.
Brian

[mitiempo]

By the way, he did list a plastic holding tank.
Brian

[CalebD]

Good follow up Brian.
I guess I missed the holding tank specs and I defer to your left coast experience as for the need of radar (for fog) as I am from the east coast of the US. Plenty of fog here off season and more in Maine on up.
I was merely trying to round up an ocean going vessel's expected equipment. I still think that a SAT phone or SSB would be nice to have as cell phones do not work so well a good distance offshore. EPIRB, yes, if you need to go there.
At least we agree that a propane oven/stove would be an improvement over an alcohol stove. Most of the safety stuff I suggested is just really nice to have for a long blue water sail but not absolutely necessary.
I still think a 12 HP engine might not be enough in certain conditions.
It is nice to have your bases covered when you are out there.

[mitiempo]

I guess it depends how much powering is expected. My CS27 has a Yanmar 8 hp 1 cylinder and it works, but not impressive against a headwind. As far as the stove, any fuel is better than alcohol including kerosene. There are a lot of options and as far as electronics they're getting both better and less expensive all the time. I'd take an ssb over a sat phone.
I'd also wonder about the rod rigging for offshore, especially if it's older. With a furler the best way to increase your storm sail options is to install a solent stay. Just inside the forestay and parallel on a releasing turnbuckle of some kind. Would need another halyard but no runners as it would almost be at the masthead. Then there is a place for storm sails or another jib for wing and wing downwind runs.
He hasn't bought the boat yet and we're redesigning it for him!
Brian

[GeorgeB]

Is this a SF Bay based C30? Do you have a name? (perhaps I know this boat). For a detailed assessment, you really need to go to the C30 owner’s association website. The early vintage C30s had tiller steering (pedestal being an owner modification) and atomic 4 engines (12 HP diesel doesn’t sound “stock” to me.) Early versions also had an encapsulated wood compression post step at the keel that was prone to water intrusion. Catalina came out with a fix and at some point in the early 80’s they went to an all glass type of layup. If you can get the boat’s HIN number, Catalina can send you a copy of their (extensive) warranty record for the boat (very handy). I’m a little surprised that it isn’t coming with a full suit of sails being a racer and that it doesn’t have a pole and mast track but has secondary winches. Condition is more important than features on a boat of this age and you want to get a good survey before you take the plunge. Given no condition issues, $14k is a little on the light side which I attribute to it’s having a tall rig (not very desirable here on the Bay). I wouldn’t buy another tall rig boat for the Bay or Coastal Northern California. It is way too overpowered for single or double handing. She was probably raced on the Bay with a crew of six to eight which is a lot of weight on the rail.

With our famous fog in the summer, robust coastal conditions and safe harbors few and far between, radar might not be a necessity, but is sure nice to have. I wouldn’t go down the coast without a chart plotter. AIS is nice to have but only really pays for itself near SF and down in the Catalina Channel. For the three hundred miles in between, radar is the only thing that is going to pick up targets other than your own Mk1 eyeball.

International Catalina 30 Association