I've got a 76 Catalina 27 and an 81 Hunter 27 and I'd have to admit I like the Hunter better, but I'm not a racer. The wife will actually go out with me on the Hunter. I brought the Hunter down to Oriental, NC from Arnold , MD last November, 8 days and it is much more comfortable than the Catalina. I'm 6'2, 220 and can actually sleep in the V-berth and on either settee. The head is so much more user friendly, and has privacy. The deck is probably 1.5 times as thick and has no thru bolts. Opening ports and an actual nav station. The inboard diesel is a breeze to work on. I'm not to wild about the main sheet arrangement or the fact that the mast uses pop rivets and not bolts.
Only surfed up to 9.2 knots once, got caught in gusts up to 33 knots on Currituck Sound coming into Coinjock, NC. The boat was heeling with no sails up and I was praying the motor wouldn't die. Only lasted a couple of hours but I was glad when it was over. I've got the Catalina up for sale. Michael htttp://www.boatbumz.com 1976 Catalina 27 "Liberty" 1976 Catalina 22 "Sailamander" 1981 Hunter 27 "Why Knot II" soon to be "Gypsy" ----- Original Message ---- From: Ross Aresco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:24:09 PM Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: Advice for a potential C27 buyer Thanks to all who responded - what a welcoming group! To offer a stranger access to one's boat like a couple of you have is something that I can only hope to pay forward at some point in the future. As of now I'm lining up a few different boats to go look at with my wife - including a C27, a Hunter 28.5, and an S2 9.2A. No C30s for sale in the area at this point that either have the options/are in the condition that I'm looking for or are in my price range. I certainly have learned a few things to add to the list of "to-do" items while evaluating a boat and once it gets down to it getting a survey done by a skilled surveyor will be paramount. If only my money tree would start bearing fruit... Thanks again for the help with such a significant purchase! Ross Oh - and for Dave specifically - GO SOX! (native New Englander, ex-Bostonion here...) DaveBreski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: v\:* {}o\:* {}w\:* {}.shape {} st1\:*{} <!-- _filtered {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}/* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";}a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}span.EmailStyle17 {font-family:Arial;color:navy;} _filtered {margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}div.Section1 {}--> I had a 27 for a number of years – it was a great boat, I single handed it a lot and camped out on board by myself frequently. For me as a solo sailor it was great – as a long term stay on board boat it was lacking. Even at my meager 5’ 8 180 lbs I was cramped – never used the v-berth because it was too uncomfortable and a pita to get in and out of. I put a lot of effort and new engine it only to end up selling it last fall after the SO and I spent a week long cruise on board. Now I’m looking for something in the 30’s – that’s comfortable enough for 2 to spend a lot of time on board. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great sailing boat and generally good value for the money – but unless you like camping in a small tent – and since you like the 30 I’d think about finding a 30 – you really don’t want the wife being disappointed - Dave Cape Cod, MA From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Russ Dearmore Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: catalina27-talk: Advice for a potential C27 buyer Ross, I'm only 5'9" and 195 and although I love my 27' I am really weary of the bending and twisting involved with any activities done below. I'd ask myself how much time I would spend single handing the boat. If you would usually have someone to help crew (wife?) then I'd enthusiastically recommend the 30. The 27' inboard is very difficult to work on. Slide into the port side cockpit locker and see if you have a prayer of a chance to inspect the transmission fluid. Every time I get in there I spend 2 days of bed rest because of a back operation. Sleeping is not comfortable to me but again it may be due to the back. In short, I'd get a very used 30' and improve it as budget restraints allow. It will be much more enjoyable for the wife (extremely important, I can't emphasize this critical point enough) and your enjoyment will be enhanced also. It's amazing what some fiberglass work and paint will do to make a tired looking boat look nearly new...... As Ralph so accurately pointed out the head routine is not to be underestimated. The 30 is basically just a more enjoyable boat. Put your money in improvements on the right size boat so as not to lose the work you put into your first boat. It's sad to see all that labor and money go to the next owners wallet. Bargains are out there so just be patient. Hope I haven't angered to many 27 lovers because for it's size, it's the best........ Ross Aresco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi All, 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. However, with trying to save up for starting a family, etc. I'm thinking that it may be the best decision financially to start with a more typical (and cheaper) "starter boat" and then move up in a few years, versus spending at least $10-20K more for a C30 and moving right to the boat that we could grow into. Yes, I know that if you amortize that over a number of years it doesn't add up to much, but it does right now. How do you like your C27s? I've never sailed one - but they're clearly super popular and can handle a variety of conditions. For the same accoutrements that we'd like (newer sail inventory, well maintained engine, pressure hot/cold water, generally well maintained boat) you can land a C27 for so much less than a C30, I'm thinking that this makes more and more sense. Part of my apprehension, however, is that I'm 6'3" 260lbs and I'm a bit worried about feeling like Will Ferrell in Elf while onboard! We're in Erie, PA so we'd ideally like to do a lot of day/evening sailing, some weekly club racing and ideally do some weekend trips west past Cleveland and north to Canada. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! ~Ross Change your thinking, change your life. We are guided, we are guarded, we are healed, we are blessed..... ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
