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Capt. Rob
 
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Default Cheap Boat Face-Off

Catalina 27 vs. Nordica 30


Quality:
Mooron has himself convinced that the Nordica 30 is some kind of
unknown Valiant or even or Hans Crhistian. All you have to do is visit
the Nordica website to learn that these boats have not held up well,
and Mooron was forced to rebuilt his interior. He himself said that the
interior components are of poor quality. On the other hand many
Catalina 27's of far greater age than his 30 are still sailing with
little more than new cushions. Catalina 27's have circumnavigated:
Fact! Nordica 30's have not. FACT!

Speed:
Neither boat is a speed demon to put it kindly, but at least if you own
a Cat 27 you can race in one design fleets. The Catalina will also
handle better overall. In a distance race, the Nordica 30 would have an
edge based on her size, not as likely around the cans.

Comfort:
Mooron's sad ignorant remark about "fitting down the companionway"
shows he (once again) doesn't know boats. As most people know, the
Catalina 27 features a hatch that is so wide it must be considered a
liability in offshore sailing (easily handled by smart sailors). Beyond
that, for her size, the Catalina 27 is a FAR more comfortable boat with
a big cabin and giant cockpit.

Resale:
When you consider that the average Nordica 30 sells for 20K or less
(True, in spite of Mooron's hilarious claims of being offered 60K),
she's basically priced just above the Pearson 30. This also proves that
her reputation hasn't exactly wowed the sailing community, which is
still willing to pay 50K for a Westsail 32 or 35K for a Island Packet
29. A 1973 Catalina 27 can be bought in good shape for about 8K, not
far from half her original price!

Winner:
There's no doubt that the Nordica 30 has personality. But it will cost
you in long term repairs and upkeep. If you want to sail buy the
Catalina 27. If you want to hire yourself to be a slave to poor
workmanship, by all means enjoy the Nordica 30. She'll certainly turn
the heads of the misinformed.



RB
35s5
NY