Hi, group.

It's finally time: I want to get a Catalina 27. I feel it's pretty much
the ideal small cruiser for Georgia Strait. I'd like to hear stories,
get tips, info, etc. just as "fuel for fantasy" before I get it, and
I'm sure there's lots out there, since it's one of the most popular
models in the world. I'm splitting my requests into 3 topics so they
don't get messed up.

This one is for stories and/or tips. Anybody have stories of Catalina
27 adventures? And any tips? Things I definitely should add, or beef
up, or modify?

druid
http://www.bcboatnet.org

Dave wrote:
On 20 Dec 2006 08:11:41 -0800, said:

This one is for stories and/or tips. Anybody have stories of Catalina
27 adventures? And any tips? Things I definitely should add, or beef
up, or modify?

I looked at a lot of Cat 27s before buying a CS27 (a fine Canadian boat).
Nearly all I looked at had some deck core issues. You'll want to sound the
deck for delamination thoroughly before making an offer on one.

Yup, ya gets what ya pays for! I'd love a CS27, but my budget is about
$10K CDN, and the CS27's are closer to $20K. And from what I'm told,
most boats have SOME degree of delamination, although I also hear the
Catalinas have more than most

'Course, if I win the lottery, I'd be looking at a Sceptre 43, another
Fine Canadian boat...

druid
http://www.bcboatnet.org

On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:19:23 -0800, druid wrote:

Yup, ya gets what ya pays for! I'd love a CS27, but my budget is about
$10K CDN,

Then check out the the 28' Hinterhoeller at yachtworld.com. It's located
in Niagara-on-the-Lake. $13.5K asking price but...you know..and it has a
trailer. I'm partial. I had one in the 70's and 80's, lost it to a
divorce, then got another in 1999. This is the earlier variant with the
spoon entry and shorter mast. Very nice sea motion. Surprisingly quick.
Bulletproof construction. Delam's _highly_ unlikely with these boats.

mr.b wrote:
On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:19:23 -0800, druid wrote:

Yup, ya gets what ya pays for! I'd love a CS27, but my budget is about
$10K CDN,

Then check out the the 28' Hinterhoeller at yachtworld.com. It's located
in Niagara-on-the-Lake. $13.5K asking price but...you know..and it has a
trailer. I'm partial. I had one in the 70's and 80's, lost it to a
divorce, then got another in 1999. This is the earlier variant with the
spoon entry and shorter mast. Very nice sea motion. Surprisingly quick.
Bulletproof construction. Delam's _highly_ unlikely with these boats.

Well, first, how much do you think that would cost to ship to the West
Coast? I'm guessing we'd be back to the $20K figure... (in which case
I'd be better off with a CS27 bought here)

And I'd still prefer the C27, delam and all, and here's a Story as to
why:
We were both motoring out of West Bay, both singlehanded, he in a ketch
("bulletproof, shorter mast, nice sea motion...") and me in my Cal 25.
At first I was jealous, since he could just leave the tiller and go fwd
to put up his headsail. But once under sail... I had tacked up the bay,
up Collingwood Channel a ways and decided to go the "back route", so
was reaching down behind Bowen Island when I lost sight of him... still
trying to tack out of the bay!

Nope, I want a boat I can sail upwind in the Gulf Islands and get
somewhere...

druid

Charlie Morgan wrote:

What happened to Far Cove?

CWM

Selling her

I just can't afford a 36-ft boat AND a house if I'm ever gonna retire.
I can sell Far Cove, pay off all the debts (except the house mortgage,
of course), and still have enough left over for a C27. If I keep her in
Secret Cove, I can easily afford it, retire in 5 yrs or so, and still
have a sailboat to cruise Georgia St in.

See http://www.bcboatnet.org for details...

druid

On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:06:55 -0500, Charlie Morgan wrote:

Sorry to hear it Lloyd. Is Far Cove paid for? If it is, I can't imagine how you
would come out very much better by selling her and buying a 27 foot boat that
will undoubtably need a lot more work than a boat you have already perfected.
The work on a new smaller boat to bring it up to snuff could easily eat up most
or all of the difference. I think you need to think some more on this.

That's true. And the difference in sailing ability and roominess
between a 27 and a 36 is like night and day. Didn't you repower with
a new diesel a few years ago?

On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:06:55 -0500, Charlie Morgan wrote:

On 20 Dec 2006 14:43:01 -0800, "druid" wrote:


Charlie Morgan wrote:

What happened to Far Cove?

CWM

Selling her

I just can't afford a 36-ft boat AND a house if I'm ever gonna retire.
I can sell Far Cove, pay off all the debts (except the house mortgage,
of course), and still have enough left over for a C27. If I keep her in
Secret Cove, I can easily afford it, retire in 5 yrs or so, and still
have a sailboat to cruise Georgia St in.

See http://www.bcboatnet.org for details...

druid

Sorry to hear it Lloyd. Is Far Cove paid for? If it is, I can't imagine how you
would come out very much better by selling her and buying a 27 foot boat that
will undoubtably need a lot more work than a boat you have already perfected.
The work on a new smaller boat to bring it up to snuff could easily eat up most
or all of the difference. I think you need to think some more on this.

CWM

Trust me, I've "re-thinked" this to death - it's not something I'm doing
easily. I'm not going into my finances on a public forum, but trust me,
the financial advantages are huge, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.

As for "work" - Far Cove needs a new headsail: $3500. For $3500 you can
get an entire sail INVENTORY (including a crusing spin)! Then there's the
moorage, the haulouts...

Yes, the financial advantage must be great to sell a dream.

And yes, there is a BIG difference between a 36 and a 27, but not all for
the better. I bought Far Cove as a liveaboard, and for that she has lots
of space. But when I'm single-handing, I'm rattling around in all that
room! And it's, well, farther away from the water. Hard to explain, but it
just doesn't FEEL as much like sailing as in a smaller boat.

Sure am gonna miss her speed (which equates to getting to the "far
cove"...) though!

druid

In article . com,
wrote:
Hi, group.

It's finally time: I want to get a Catalina 27. I feel it's pretty much
the ideal small cruiser for Georgia Strait. I'd like to hear stories,
get tips, info, etc. just as "fuel for fantasy" before I get it, and
I'm sure there's lots out there, since it's one of the most popular
models in the world. I'm splitting my requests into 3 topics so they
don't get messed up.

This one is for stories and/or tips. Anybody have stories of Catalina
27 adventures? And any tips? Things I definitely should add, or beef
up, or modify?

druid
http://www.bcboatnet.org

I sailed one with an inboard A4 for several years. It was well-built
for the beating it took from all the students who trained on
her. Finally, due to a combination of mistakes in maintenance, she
lost her rig when a shroud broke. The boat was undamaged except for
the lost rig and some bent stanchions. The insurance company totaled
her, the rigger bought her as salvage, then did the repairs and sold
her for a nice profit.

I found her to sail well on the SF bay. We never had any delamination
problems and we didn't have any bottom problems, even though she went
a bit long between haulouts.

You could certainly do worse.




--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com

druid wrote:
On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:06:55 -0500, Charlie Morgan wrote:


On 20 Dec 2006 14:43:01 -0800, "druid" wrote:


Charlie Morgan wrote:


What happened to Far Cove?

CWM

Selling her

I just can't afford a 36-ft boat AND a house if I'm ever gonna retire.
I can sell Far Cove, pay off all the debts (except the house mortgage,
of course), and still have enough left over for a C27. If I keep her in
Secret Cove, I can easily afford it, retire in 5 yrs or so, and still
have a sailboat to cruise Georgia St in.

See http://www.bcboatnet.org for details...

druid

Sorry to hear it Lloyd. Is Far Cove paid for? If it is, I can't imagine how you
would come out very much better by selling her and buying a 27 foot boat that
will undoubtably need a lot more work than a boat you have already perfected.
The work on a new smaller boat to bring it up to snuff could easily eat up most
or all of the difference. I think you need to think some more on this.

CWM


Trust me, I've "re-thinked" this to death - it's not something I'm doing
easily. I'm not going into my finances on a public forum, but trust me,
the financial advantages are huge, otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.

As for "work" - Far Cove needs a new headsail: $3500. For $3500 you can
get an entire sail INVENTORY (including a crusing spin)! Then there's the
moorage, the haulouts...

Yes, the financial advantage must be great to sell a dream.

And yes, there is a BIG difference between a 36 and a 27, but not all for
the better. I bought Far Cove as a liveaboard, and for that she has lots
of space. But when I'm single-handing, I'm rattling around in all that
room! And it's, well, farther away from the water. Hard to explain, but it
just doesn't FEEL as much like sailing as in a smaller boat.

Sure am gonna miss her speed (which equates to getting to the "far
cove"...) though!

druid


Unless you have super reliable crew who will be available any day you
feel like sailing, a smaller boat that can be singlehanded is an
advantage. As far as speed...when you retire what's the rush? If it
takes you three days rather than two for a particular voyage..... so what!

Well I don't know about the East coast, but in So. Cal, a nice 36'
fetches a good $50K, whereas a 27' in the same condition can be had for
under $10K. Seems like there's some money left over to me, not even
counting the difference in upkeep and recurring costs.

That said, after 10 years with a SJ26, and now 4 years with our Catalina
30', I'd sure hate to go back that small again, although the Cat 27 does
have a 10" wider beam than our SJ26. Not much in absolute terms, but a
noticeable difference in livability.

Good luck on your search!

Keith Hughes


Charlie Morgan wrote:

Sorry to hear it Lloyd. Is Far Cove paid for? If it is, I can't imagine how you
would come out very much better by selling her and buying a 27 foot boat that
will undoubtably need a lot more work than a boat you have already perfected.
The work on a new smaller boat to bring it up to snuff could easily eat up most
or all of the difference. I think you need to think some more on this.

CWM