I am 5'11" and on the large side. when I sailed my 22' Seafarer for 29 years it evolved to mostly a day sailing boat. A year ago we moved up to an '81 Catalina 27 (#4795), so for me it feels like the Queen Mary in comparison. It is gigantic at first. But as time passes the boat shrinks. I mostly sail with just the wife and we have only done day sailing with a couple weekends. A good friend on another boat has a saying that sums up all smallish boats; Drinks for 6, afternoon sailing for 4, overnight for 2. To me that sums up the Catalina 27's abilities nearly perfectly. I find all the bunks on the small side in my traditional C27 with the V birth almost not usable. The bunk itself is OK, but the "turn around space" is minimal. But the worst is the port settee which is barely big enough for a small kid because of the overhanging stove (later years chopped off part of the hanging locker and lengthened the bunk to give a touch more room to stretch out). The starboard bunk is fine and the starboard quarter birth is the most spacious but "coffin" like.
Sailing the C27 is a dream. She is easy to single hand (I have roller furling and the main halyard is lead to the top of the cabin and also has lazy jacks). Sailing is fast and she seems to do equally well in light air as she does in heavier air. I sail the Chesapeake Bay just south of Annapolis, in the summer we often have <8 knots and in spring/fall 15> knots. This summer I am looking to do some small enhancements and try to talk the wife into a week trip. I considered the Catalina 30 (you should find a copy of Good Old Boat magazine from last fall, they did a very positive comprehensive review of the C30), but size and controlling depth is a consideration for me. Perhaps in the future a 30-34 will happen but for now I am very content with my Catalina 27. If you want a ride, let me know Annapolis is not all that far from Erie, PA (you don't work for Eire Ins by any chance, I send plenty of $$ that way). Joe McCary Aeolus II, West River, MD [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ross Aresco I'd appreciate some advice here. I've been researching diligently for the best first boat for my wife and me (no kids just yet) and have had my heart set for a while on a C30.
