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 jjellis02 |
potential 42 mkII owner |
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Posts: 8 03/14/07 11:09:33 |
In researching the 42 I have recieved a few negative comments about the 42 concerning structural integrity, reliability, and customer service form Catalina. Any comments from the forum concerning these alledged issues would be appreciated.
 j&j in california
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CaptNorm42 |
Re: potential 42 mkII owner | #1 | ||
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Posts: 616 03/14/07 11:44:12 Moderator |
JJ,
I'm quite surprised you read negative comments. Considering how many have sailed very long distances, races to Hawaii... We all consider them very structural. Customer service has also been excellent, in our opinion. I recommend you scroll down the opening ezboard page, looking for Jump. Go to the pull down & Go to Advice. There are several potential owners that ask similar questions & you will see plenty of answers. Hopefully you looked down the opening a page about 12 threads down. There is a link to a favorable review in Sailing Magazine. Feel free to ask any new questions right here. Where in CA are you? ~~~~_/)~~~~
Norm Perron, Hull #600/2 cabin fin keel, MarkII, Aphrodisiac, Marina del Rey, CA |
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sashay567 |
Re: potential 42 mkII owner | #2 | ||
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Posts: 188 03/14/07 12:37:03 |
JJ, let me guess, the negative comments come from those owning the gazillion dollar "blue water" boats or by the dealers of those same boats? They get upset when you sail by, wave happily, and then by evening are hull down over the horizon ahead of them.
 Every one of those types will tell you "you can't cruise a Catalina", yet there are many Catalinas in anchorages the world over.  Seriously, viewing this forum will reveal real life problems with the C-42s. Nothing is held back or censored on these forums as it relates to our boats. Rodney Kidd, C-42 #567 Sashay, 2 Cabin Fin, Marina Village, Alameda, CA
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pdrimmer |
Re: potential 42 mkII owner | #3 | ||
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Posts: 150 03/14/07 13:19:25 |
My "98 42 is our second second Catalina. We have not had any, and I repeat any structural or major equipment issues with the boat. With the exception the usual maintenance items (pumps, leaking ball valve, etc) the boat is just as good as when it was purchased.
This is similar to my expience with my first Catalina, a 30 we had for ten years. We also did not have any issues with the boat. In fact the reliability of the first boat was a major factor in the purchase of the second. |
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peterw |
Catalina | #4 | ||
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Posts: 105 03/14/07 15:15:36 |
I realize that many boats are just fancy plastic condos in marinas. The more expensive the prettier they look. I for one have sailed two different Catalina's down the west coast of the US. The problems during the first trip that we experienced were caused by uncontrollable circumstances and had nothing to do with Catalina's construction. But I feel, because of the construction, we came through the first voyage safely. We experienced 37knot winds and combined seas of 25 ft. Never once did I feel that the boat was unable to take it. The second trip, just completed this past September - from Vancouver BC to Long Beach CA was uneventfull other than the usual coastal fog, winds and seas. At Cape Arguelo (?) we experienced 42 knot winds and 16ft breaking seas - other than having to hang on because of the extreme motion and a boat speed of 9 knots plus we experienced no other discomfort. After 1,356 miles all I did was add one quart of oil. That and normal fuel expenses was all we had to spend on the boat. There was no breakage of any kind - even my wifes crystal decanter and brandy glasses survived. I will choose a Catalina over any other make of boat - and I have not experienced any kind of service problems from the manufacturer. They have always been extremely helpful. And the most important is this web site - so far I have received nothing but candid helpful answers from the members of this site. Try that with any other make.
Peter C'est la Vie Hull #746 |
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jjellis02 |
Re: Catalina | #5 | ||
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Posts: 8 03/14/07 15:43:41 |
Thanks to those replying today. I am new to the fourm but I will spend some time chasing down the recommended threads. Also the negaive comments were well in the minority but I wanted to get a broader view of comments. And yes one was from another broker as one of you suspected. My wife and I have sailed the 36 to Catalina Is and enjoyed our week long trek. We really like the 42 layout and storage. So hopfully after a little more research we will be joining your ranks as an owner. BTW we live in Fremont and normally sail SF Bay.
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ajchan |
Re: Catalina | #6 | ||
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Posts: 145 03/14/07 21:17:15 |
This thread is the second time in as many weeks that I've heard doubts about the stability of Catalina's??? A couple of weeks ago, I was in Sydney Australia and lo and behold it turned out my hotel was across the street from an inwater boat show in Cockle Bay. So of course not one to skip a boat show, I went to walk the docks.
The curious thing about this show was that the usual suspects were represented, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria and Hunter, but nary a Catalina to be seen. Naturally I approached the sales guys in each of the major displays and asked about the absence of Catalina's. To a man...woman, the response was the same..."They just aren't stable enough to handle the conditions in Australia"??? The Hunter guy went so far as to say, Aussies prefer good sailing boats instead of boats that are flashy??? The guy who ran the bareboat charter stand, said that Catalina's wern't ocean rated, and could not pass the standards required in Australia to enter charter service???? He did not however have a comment on my question about why C42 II have been regular contenders in the Sydney Hobart. Needless to say I was astounded! I've been out in my boat in all sorts of conditions, and while Lake Ontario is not going to get 25 foot waves, it can get a short 6 foot swell that can turn all but the most stable hulls into a paint mixer. Compared to other boats I've sailed on, both of my Catalina's (C320 and now C42) the Catalinas felt solid, the rigging stable, and there was generally much less flexing and banging that I noticed on other boats. My conclusion is that Catalina needs to do something about its marketing! They make a good honest product, that delivers excellent value and sails well. We aren't million dollar blue water boats, but when the Hunter guy says we're just too flashy compared to his boats......clearly something is very very wrong! Addison Threepenny Opera
1999 C-42 MK II, 2CP Wing #640 |
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peterw |
Buying a Catalina | #7 | ||
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Posts: 105 03/15/07 09:48:03 |
I would also add my 2 cents worth again. While I was cruising in the Gulf Islands (BC) with C'est la Vie I pulled into a Canadian Customs dock. At least I got within 50ft of the dock when I hit the affectionately called, "the money maker rock". It was quite a thump - I had the boat pulled immediately by the marina because I was afraid of the extent of the damage. The yard manager was astonished of the minor damage that was evident. and he was somewhat dissapointed that there was no repair work to be done. (I can provide the yard bill - if some one is interested) The previous collision a week before by a "famous maker sail boat" with the same money maker rock caused over $60,000 worth of repairs going approximately the same speed I was going (1.8 knots). Evidently Catalina believes in building a strong hull and scrimping on some of the interior frills. I'll take that anytime over a fancy Bose stereo system.
Peter C'est la Vie Hull#746 |
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oscar |
Re: Buying a Catalina | #8 | ||
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Posts: 475 03/15/07 11:32:18 |
I'm on my third Catalina, and there's a reason for that, it's called value. Boat design is compromise. You can't have the best performance, with the best looks and the best customer service for the lowest price. Everything after that is give and take. Perceived value is why one owns the boat they own.
Catalina's are well designed, predictable and safe sailing boats, with occasional well above average performance. Would I cross an Ocean without modification? No. If I can't pick my weather I need to be more prepared. Have I sailed thousands of miles well (more than a day's worth) off shore? Yup, and she does magnificently. The boats are exrtremely roomy with a lot creature comfort, without looking like a house boat. They are not built like an ice breaker, but hold up quite nicely even under heavier than "normal" use. Catalina is a consistent manufacturer. There are no MAJOR problems associated with the boats. Are there quirks and frustrating "why the hell did they do that" issues. Yes, but every manufacturer has those. Does the factory fix it right away? Usually. It is however most important to have a dealer (when buying new) that knows what they're doing and steps up to the plate. In the end they are fine sailing, decent looking, comfortable mass produced boats that can be had for half or less of the equivalent upscale boats. Some can't afford the other boats, some won't. For me, the boats are the most bang for the buck. Period. |
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dickbutler |
Re: Buying a Catalina | #9 | ||
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Posts: 55 03/15/07 14:00:52 Moderator |
I had a C36 for about 18 years and moved up to the C42 about 2 years ago. As Oscar says, it sails exceptionally well and has great creature comforts. My question was what is it like in blue water?
Well I found out last year on an 3600 mile round trip from the west coast of Florida to Penobscot Bay in Maine. We hit some pretty rough weather around Hatteras but never once felt uncomfortable nor did any of us feel that the boat could not handle the conditions. We stayed about 100 to 150 mile out on the Northbound trip and had an incredible sail. I can't wait to head North in May! I think the article that Norm mentioned is well worth reading. Good luck Dick Butler Escapade #837 Madeira Beach, FL/Stockton Springs, ME |
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yorkrose |
Re: Buying a Catalina | #10 | ||
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Posts: 250 03/15/07 14:05:55 |
Addison,
It seems that many Brits, and probably some Aussies as well, have their knickers in a bit of a twist over the ultimate stability of the C42. Apparently that is a big deal to some people, and the British sailing rags routinely report on stability. I believe there was a brief discussion earlier on this forum about that topic. The bottom line was that there were some questionable test results, and almost certainly some erroneous reporting. Stability is important, but I don't expect to ever be in a situation where the difference between 115 degrees of ultimate stability and 120 degrees of ultimate stability is significant. Regards, Gene Fuller Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870 |
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