Cat 30s are a fairly popular live aboard here in Southern California. They aren't really blue water boats (nor, were they designed or built to be). However, with a bit of beefing up, and cautious seamanship, many non-bluewater boats have made quite spectacular passages. If you're really thinking about blue water sailing, I would start with a more robustly built boat, designed with the open ocean more in mind. It may cost you a bit more initially, but you'll spend a lot less money and time getting it in decent shape. And you'll probably have a safer boat, that's more comfortable in big seas.

 

As has been said, the Catalina 30 was never intended for offshore use, and even one in perfect shape would need some serious beefing up to reliably stand up to the rigours of offshore work. But beyond that the weight carrying capacity alone would discourage the use of a Catalina 30 for distance voyaging. And if you could fine one for $10,000, it would likely be so beat to death, needing major structural items like keel bolt replacement and deck core work, that it would cost a way more than the boat was worth to make it a suitable offshore cruiser.

Jeff

 

I looked at a 10K C30 and many boats in that price range before buying the Cal 29

It had the keel sump issue

Tired motor issue

Orginal standing rigging issue

 

RoSail,
it depends on what kind of engine you are looking for. The 20hp diesel is the preferred engine, but you can find a Catalina 30 with an Atomic 4 in your price range (at least on the Chesapeake). Sea Scouts in Baltimore is selling one with a 11hp diesel and they may bargain for your price.
My understanding is that this model was never meant for blue water. The companionway is too large, etc. But I am unsure how far out into the ocean "coastal cruising" takes a person. I am new to sailing (this year) but so far I have had no problems single handing my 30 around the Chesapeake.
As for living aboard, I am 6'2 250 and have been living aboard since October in Annapolis. It is quite comfortable for one person and weekend guests are no problem.

Loaf

 

The Catalina 30 is a good coastal boat with more built than any other boat her size. Good support from Yahoo owner's group Catalina30 : Catalina 30 Owners Online List
and very affordable. Usually dozens and dozens to choose from - like a popular chevy. But was never designed for offshore. The wide companionway is one issue but a larger one is the bulkheads that are not glassed to the hull and furniture held in place with just a few screws. Much sailing in rough waters will loosen a few things and the hull will move a bit making it worse. Offshore sailing for a year is about 10 years of normal wear and tear that this boat just isn't built for.

 

Second what Jeff_H has said. Almost any Catalina 30 for that price is going to need serious refurbishing, and the boat was not designed for off-shore work. There are other boats that might be far more suitable, like the HR Monsun 31, but these boats are also going to be harder to find at a good price and less suitable for liveaboard use, since they're going to have much smaller interiors than a Catalina 30.

I'd point out that several bloggers have lived aboard boats like Alberg 30s, which are often available for fairly little money in decent shape. One sailor I know of lives aboard a SC31 and that boat has made circumnavigations, like the one done by Patricia Henry.

 

There are a lot of average boats out there - Catalina, Hunter, Cal and the like. There are a few better boats that are harder to find. I don't know where you are but try these.

1965 Sagitta Royal Systems Yacht Yard Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
1985 Seafarer Sloop Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
1976 Vinyard Vixen Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
1972 Yankee MKI Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
All but the last with a diesel. The Sagitta looks interesting. They're asking slightly over 10k on several but would probably accept less I would guess.

 

I own a 1984 Catalina 30, and it's a great boat for what I got it for, a starter boat to bring the Admiral along and a coastal cruiser. For the length, it has a lot of room below, largely due to the wide beam. I love my Catalina, but like any tool you need to understand the limitations. I'll be parting with it and upgrading when/if we decide to start going further offshore.

There are some good reasons above for why people don't consider it appropriate for serious offshore work, and they are true. However, what no-one has mentioned yet is, for me, the real show-stopper. The hull-deck joint is *only* secured by adhesive. There are no through-fasteners of any kind. That's why she gets the nickname "the tupperware boat." The lid is just sort of stuck on. Leaking through the hull-deck joint is a very common problem in the C30, and if you decide to buy one, I'd recommend you spray around the joint with a hose and then check inside for leaking.

Before we got this boat, I found a killer deal in Marina Del Rey for a nice 79 C30 tall for 10k. So you can find a deal. Generally you'll probably end up parting with $18k - $20k for something you'd like to have (or you'll put whatever the difference is between $20k and the purchase price into it to make into something you'd like to keep.)

Good luck, and if you have any more questions I'd join up with the yahoo Catalina30 group. Ton's of good info there.

JRM
"Imagine"

 

JRM
Really? Not even self tappers. I'm surprised.

 

The catalina is probably the most refined, enduring design for a boat that aims at how most people use thier boats. It doesn't try to be a racer nor an off shore cruiser. I think that most over estimate how much they will actually be using thier boats in those capacities and I'd suggest doing your own analysis of that. You'd be hard pressed to find a boat with better used internal space in that lenght.
Since there're so many around you should find a lot of boats to choose from. There's also a strong class organiation that you could google and find a lot of backround on the boats, thier strenghts, maintenance issues, people who live aboard etc. etc.

 

Popular and roomy for their length, but refined?