From: greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough)
Subject: Re: Catalina 30 (WAS: Request for advice ... Cruising sailboats)
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 20:24:21 GMT

In article <1992Oct5.174755.9275@rsd0.rsd.dl.nec.com> dave@rsd.dl.nec.com (Dave Rogers) writes:
>In article <1992Oct5.022701.4839@netcom.com>, greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough) writes:
>|> True on both counts. The Catalina 30 has "worn well" in a number of
>|> different ways; the boats themselves seem to be standing up quite
>|> well over the years, and the design seems to be holding up.
>
>This especially true of older Cataline 30s.  However, since 1986 the
>Cataline 30 has the highest incidence of owner problem reports of *any
>boat* sold in the US according the the Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard
>maintains an 800 number "owner's hotline" to input and request
>information about particular boats.  The figures are published perodicly
>in Boat/US Boating and Equipment Reports.  Most of the complaints about
>the Catalina 30s have to do with blistering. 
 
Is that *number* of reports or *rate* of reports? I'd expect that if it's
raw numbers, it would be artificially inflated by a relatively high sales
rate, compared to other boats.
 
On the other hand, there is *no excuse* for osmotic blistering in newer
boats. The causes and cures are well-known, and relatively easily applied
during manufacturing. Particularly in Southern California!

If all else fails, a prophylactic (ya gotta love that word in this context)
 barrier (even better word  :-) ) coat could be applied at the factory.
 
Given that information, I CERTAINLY would apply same prior to launching,
if I were buying a new Catalina 30! On the other hand, I might also 
hesitate making it the boat of choice. After all, since it is preventable,
that the problem exists indicates a serious problem of priorities at the
factory. Given the astronomical prices of new boats versus used boats,
it seems to me to be a mistake to purchase anything that you aren't 
really sure of in the new market. After all, if you want a series of
unpredictable expenses, buy an old boat and fix it!
 
I'm really sorry to hear this. I'd always thought of Catalina as a company
where you got what you paid for and just a little bit more. They've always
made inexpensive boats, but they've never made junk. With all we know about
how to make boats NOT blister, new boats that still do really are junk.
Many manufacturers warranty against blisters for many years after the
date of manufacture. Which does a world of good if they go bankrupt, but
you know.
 
The original poster might look into Ericson Yachts. They have some attractive
boats, and given the state of the market, you might be able to pick up an
Ericson for not much more than a Catalina. I don't know, but I think they've
made some real strides since my Ericson 27 (which had acceptable quality, not
stunning, but acceptable) was built in 1976.
 
Then again, if I were in Canada, I'd still look real hard at the CS boats,
which aren't as inexpensive as some others, but then again after import
duty, and after making a good deal...  ...if they're still in business :-(
I'd also be willing to bet that there are a lot of boats in charter fleets
which are going to be sold off cheaply, given the economy. Look around.
 
Greg
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