Catalina Fanatics

[Patrick House]

Kevin and friends;
It's always good to meet other Catalina fanatics, although you can't swing an anchor in iny marina without hitting one. A testament to their popularity!
I've owned my Catalina 30 "Avalon" for about 4 years now, and have enjoyed sailng her on Lake Erie, over to Canada, and now in Charleston SC. I used to sail my Alden Malabar Jr. (30 ft.) in San Fransisco Bay, and it's certainly true what they say; if you can sail the bay you can sail anywhere!
A side note; does anyone know of places to get hardware specific to Catalinas? I had a heck of a time trying to replace my 1980 shifter/throttle levers. Ended up going to Kobelt Mfg. in Canada for about $700.00 new!
Good luck and Fair Winds,
Catalinapat

[Kevin M. Morton]

Hello Pat, and welcome!
I am brand new to sailing, and my boat (pictued on the group's photo) is a 1974 Catalina 27. She is not my first boat, though. I had bought a Hunter 27 Cherubini down in Long Beach California, and attempted to sail her to Vallejo California singlehanded, with only a first generation handheld GPS, a chart, a handheld radio, and a SPOT satelite messenger unit for instrumentation. I made it as far as Santa Barbara before my main halyard clasp came undone, causing the main to come crashing down. I made the decision to put in at Santa Barbara to repair the problem (good choice) at night (BAD choice) and ran aground. I lost my rudder and bent the prop, shaft, and broke the support strut. The insurance company totaled her, and so now I have my Catalina. This boat is MUCH better equipped (radar, depthmeter, knotmeter, installed VHF, solar charger, AM/FM/CD, color tv, etc). I am happy with the Catalina so far, but as my outboard died on me, Ihaven't sailed her yet (that is coming up the week after Father's Day, when I pick up the motor). I am especially anxious to try out the roller furling, and seeing how nice it will be to have al the lines led aft! I will keep you posted on my sailing adventures. By the way, I thought I'd point out that I taught myself to sail while coming out of the harbor in Long Beach.. lol

[MNSailor]

We have a catalina 30 1985. I haven't posted any pictues yet, but want to introduce myself as a Catalina Fanatic: I have had a catalina 22.ctalina 25 and now my 30.

[Kevin M. Morton]

Welcome aboard! I adore my Catalina 27 (featured on our group photo) Serenity. She is a lovely boat, very comfortable underway, and enough amenities aboard to keep the Admiral happy. I'd love to see some pictures of everyone's boats. I just got mine home to her slip in Vallejo and look to taking her out again this week for some more shakedown sailing, as I am new and need the practice! Fair winds!

[Kevin M. Morton]

Last month, my fiance and I "raced" a MacGregor 65. We were both headed in to the Vallejo Marina, and although the Mac proved faster (huge surprise, I know), it took it nearly 5 miles to overtake and pass us. It was flying about a 150 genoa, while all we could raise was a 110. I think we did well to hold him off for as long as we did, especially since I am a new sailor, and tis was only my fiance's second trip ever on our boat. That's a fine testament to how well designed our Cat 27s are!

[Bill and Norma Keaveney]

Hello, all! Just found this site (thanx to Good Old Boat). Looks great so far! We (my wife Norma and I ) are presently on our 5th (FIFTH) Catalina - started with the 22, then moved thru several years to three different 25's (the first we bought NEW), and now we have a 1988 Catalina 27. I suspect that it doesn't end there - I am searching for a 1988 Mk II 30 in my price range, so who knows?
Bill

[matthew Kronyak]

HI all, 1990 Catalina 30 SRWK # 5833 Tuckerton NJ

[zeehag]

there is a FREE 32 in isthmus oif catalina, lost angeles, ca-----pm me for details....is spozed to be in goooood shape....multiple boat owner giving to good home---has to relocate his boats every 2 weeks and works on catalina island as well---difficult to do.....

[Bill and Norma Keaveney]

Pat,
Don't know what happened to my earlier try to respond - seems like multiple entries of a partial response! Anyway, if you haven't already found it, a great source of Catalina parts is Catalina Direct http://catalinadirect.com/ although it is a long way from you. They seem to have almost all the items I need from time to time.