Catalina 30 or 34 ??

[barmen]

I was wondering if there is much difference between the two. (early 90's) I have seen interior pics of both but is it worth the extra $$ for the bigger one? It doesn't seem to me that much larger in pics

I plan to sail the Caribbean for 4 -6 months with 2 people , then base it in Cartagena , and take month long trips with a max of 4 people

Thank you

[Pblais]

Actually a lot. I have friends with each. For cruising the 34 is the better bet. The extra few feet includes extra beam and a lot of other details. For the race course the 30 is the better choice I think. The 34 Mark II would be the preferred 34.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Barmen,
You'll have a lot more room in the 34. A whole bunch!! It would be good if you could find someone with each and then ask to let you go aboard.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Randyonr3]

I owned a Catalina 30, The worst boat I ever owned... Reasons being, the floor, there is no flat spot. your walking on an angled sole that tilts to the center of the boat.. The head, you have to back into it is so small and I'm 6 feet tall so I'd have to leave the door open if I sat down.. The boat is so beamy that the angle from side to side (underside) is almost the same angle as the for-aft... Its like sailing a basketball with a mast and rudder.
But the final straw was one morning climbing out of the forward berth, I steped on the angled floor and twisted my ankle...
some people like them for racing but I found that running to windward the boat would "Crab"

[kargin]

A 30 ft boat is too small for any extended time with 4 on board. I have a Catalina 36 which accomodates 10 to sail and 6 to eat and 2 to live aboard.

[never monday]

night and day difference. Spend the money and get a 34

[mikereed100]

I've lived aboard my 30 for the past 18 years and while it is a great boat I think 2 would be max. I have done 5 day trips with 4 and it was very tight. The 30 has a lot of interior space for a 30 but remember, space goes up by the cube of length so a 34 gives you much more. I would think that you could get a used one for not too much money.

Mike

[George P]

I have owned both and the 34 is a no brainer, much stronger construction all around (meaning in all aspects, you'll apreciate this when in a blow). Also, much faster on the race course as well. Not close at all, the 30 is day sailor...and that's all. The 34 is a small cruiser that can actually cruise and is much more comfortable, just the size of the head should convince you. If you go with the 30 you'll be looking at a bigger boat almost immediately when you start cruising. The 34 will give you much more confidence when you head out onto the big blue and especially if you ever have to sail off a lee shore, it will sail upwind into the waves much more effectively. Good luck. Let me know if you want more info