Any body own a cat 30'? I'm hoping to buy one in the next yeaar or so
and am not sure if I should buy one ready to sail or one needing some
repair. I'm not interested in buying a boat fully equipped with
electronics as I would not be able to verify how long they would last -
would prefer to buy my own.

I live in Philly and hoping to buy one close to me.

Kernix wrote:
Any body own a cat 30'?

Yep, lots and lots of 'em.

... I'm hoping to buy one in the next yeaar or so
and am not sure if I should buy one ready to sail or one needing some
repair.

The two aren't really mutually exclusive, and *any* boat no
matter how magnificently equipped & maintained will still
need work to keep it that way.

I'm not interested in buying a boat fully equipped with
electronics as I would not be able to verify how long they would last -
would prefer to buy my own.


A bigger choice would be to decide if you want a diesel or
will settle for an Atomic 4 gas engine.

I live in Philly and hoping to buy one close to me.

You know about Yachtworld.com, right? Currently listing 25
Catalina 30s in PA, MD, and NJ, from a 1994 at $49k to a
1980 at $14,500.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

DSK wrote:
You know about Yachtworld.com, right? Currently listing 25
Catalina 30s in PA, MD, and NJ, from a 1994 at $49k to a
1980 at $14,500.


You think a 1980 for $14K is a good deal? I want to go out and buy it
now.

Kernix wrote:
You think a 1980 for $14K is a good deal?

It could be. Without looking the boat over thoroughly, it's
impossible to say.


I want to go out and buy it
now.


Even if the first thing you're going to do is install a
heater, winter time is not fun for boating around Philly.
However, it's likely that sellers who are under any
financial pressure would make a better deal now than in spring.

Personally, I'd recommend going a notch higher on price and
getting a boat with a diesel. I'm also curious as to why you
have settled on a Catalina 30 as *the* boat for you. There
are a lot of different boats in this size range, and the
Catalina is nice but kind of nondescript IMHO.

DSK

DSK wrote:

Even if the first thing you're going to do is install a
heater, winter time is not fun for boating around Philly.

I understand - until I get my photog biz paying the bills, I'll need a
regular 9-5 job - so rough it out one winter.

However, it's likely that sellers who are under any
financial pressure would make a better deal now than in spring.


Don't have the cash now - saving - hoping I have enuf in the string.

Personally, I'd recommend going a notch higher on price and
getting a boat with a diesel. I'm also curious as to why you
have settled on a Catalina 30 as *the* boat for you. There
are a lot of different boats in this size range, and the
Catalina is nice but kind of nondescript IMHO.

First off, anything bigger is too much $. Secondly, a # of liveaboards
mentioned that it would be a good boat for a novice sailor and have
enough room for the basics that I would want onboard: guitar, photog
equip, laptop, ...

Even if the first thing you're going to do is install a
heater, winter time is not fun for boating around Philly.


Kernix wrote:
I understand - until I get my photog biz paying the bills, I'll need a
regular 9-5 job - so rough it out one winter.


Two problems (or two real big ones out of many)- any boat in
your price range is likely to be lacking in some necessity,
which means you'll have to work on it first. This can be
gotten around by shrewdly shopping for a boat that is
servicable as a cheap apartment within your possible
commuting area, even if it's lacking some basics for actualy
cruising. It's more expensive that you'd think to add gear &
fix up old boats, so you might have to keep working as
lucratively as you can for a few more years.

The other biggy is that a beat-up older boat, by definition
lacking in some comforts most of us consider basic, is going
to really suck as a place to live... doubly or triply so in
the winter. You may end up spending a lot of money and
hating it, just because you've jumped in too deep at the
start. It's seasonal! As a summer cottage, cheap old boats
ain't so bad.



.... I'm also curious as to why you
have settled on a Catalina 30 as *the* boat for you.

First off, anything bigger is too much $. Secondly, a # of liveaboards
mentioned that it would be a good boat for a novice sailor and have
enough room for the basics that I would want onboard: guitar, photog
equip, laptop, ...


Hmm. There are certainly exceptions, but IMHO liveabards...
by which I means guys who live on boats in one location long
term... are not knowledgeable sailors or about a range of
boats. That may sound contradictory, but it's what I've
seen. Guys who are serious about going cruising... GO! and
they learn about a lot beyond the range of heavily-marketed
Catalina/Hunter/Beneteau plasticky boats.

That said, a Catalina 30 isn't necessarily a bad choice. The
biggest count against them I can think of is the wierdo main
hatch/humpy floor/headroom situation. When you've looked at
one in person, you'll quickly see what I mean. It's not bad
but it could be a PITA if you have to step on it & duck
every day, and put up with a leaky hatch to boot.

FWIW five minutes at Yachtworld came up with a list of
likely picks, to my mind, for what you're looking for, at
least as good as a Catalina 30 on the cheap.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1616992

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._boats=1450137

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1607829

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1381465

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._boats=1534105

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1294685

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1320974

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...oat_id=1476070

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._boats=1562910

One thing you could persue as a hobby, is traveling around
to some boatyards and poking around, chatting with people.
You will learn a lot and you may find a real deal. Plus it's
not a bad hobby.

Fresh BReezes- Doug King

yeah - the 6'5" head room doesn't thrill me - a few more inches would
be nice - how about a Hunter 31 or 33? I've heard good things about
them - how about pearson or a larger Cat - maybe a Cat 34?