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New to Catalinas and looking for advice

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atodhunter	New to Catalinas and looking for advice		Lead	[-]
Posts: 2 06/15/05 10:53:34	Tags : None Hello All: I'm looking into the possibility of buying or chartering a Catalina 42 or 34 to tour the Med for 6-12 months with my family of four, but have so far been fairly mystified by the range of equipment options I see on boats for sale. Does anyone know of a solid, current book or article that lays out what someone with my intentions does and does not need on a cruising Catalina in terms of perks and add-ons? I don't want to pay for gear I won't be using; nor do I want to discover that I really, really need a $10k item after the fact, off Turkey, during a storm! Also wondering about fin vs wing keel, as a reduced draw would be nice in the canals if we head inland. Many thanks for any and all thoughts.
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jbmason	Re: New to Catalinas and looking for advice	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 246 06/15/05 18:18:02	I don't know that your inquiry is C42 specific, however there is a major league difference btwn C42 and C34 when you are factoring the family of four and any period of time beyond a week aboard. Additionally, the availability of specific boat brands in the Med will vary greatly. You will find a greater selection of European built boats in charter, ie Ben's, Jenn's, Duf's,etc. You may love your family now, but in tight quarters they become demons ripping at your flesh and eating your brain, its not like a G rated movie. The more room the better. Additionally and even more important, the more hull length, the greater speed and comfort. Genset and water maker are great but not essential. The event would be an adventure. The best bet is to find a Charter company or three to provide a selection of available vessels and their equipment lists. Also the specific requirements of the charter company as far as required experience, certification, and insurance costs. Charter would be the most economical as you would be able to walk away at the conclusion of your adventure, however you may find that you get the "time share" hyp at the charter company. They may be able to convince you to purchase new or used and leave in charter with reciprocals in other locals.
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cathyinct	Re: New to Catalinas and looking for advice	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 06/16/05 17:27:50	There is a big difference between looking to own a boat and looking to charter a boat. We are a family of four ( kids 8 and 9) and we also sport a small puppy. we are also very tall. We chartered two distinct hull configurations before we made a purchase. We chartered on them for a week each. We trialed boom furlling, etc. ( Mom and Dad in pullman vs Aft Queen -- kids in separate cabins vs. together in Vberth.) We also had been prior sailors and boatowners. WE also knew that we would have our future boat for a long time. Since we have a son and daughter, we looked seriously at twin aft cabin boats ( Beneteau 411 was the other good option) The basic electronics we wanted was depth, speed, wind and then GPS, VHF and radar. We wound up putting on radar and then added the ram mike in the cockpit cause it made good sense. We wanted propane, headroom of 6'8", three burner stove, a salon table in case friends came, nothing to varnish topsides. Also two heads and in particular the head in the bow and the stern swim shower. We definately wanted a boat with a generous stern platform where the kids could easily get into the boat from our dink --- or jump off when swimming. We didn't get elec winches or fancy furling mains or booms. We didn't bother to net the boat. We would eventually put a color chartplotter on it, but that was "gravy" and certainly was not needed. Davits for dingy storage while cruising is nice also. Not needed but really nice. We knew that we wanted at least a 38 footer to get the displacement we wanted. We wanted a heavier boat that would keep the kids comfy in 20-25 knots. The C42 meets that criteria. WE also needed a wing keel. The Max Prop was gravy also. As a busy MOm,, I didn't want anything to varnish this time. I wanted to spend more time having fun. The C42 was a very good choice for our growing family. Anything below a 38 footer might have been nice for daysailing, but not for even a 15 day cruise. Rule #1: Keep Mom happy. If Mom is happy, all are happy. Ha !! CAthy
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atodhunter	Re: New to Catalinas and looking for advice	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2 06/17/05 06:36:49	Hi there: Thanks for your thoughts and advice, JB and Cathy-- all of it very helpful. Was telling to hear two strong votes toward the 42 as opposed to a smaller boat. We too have a boy and girl-- our daughter is 8, son 4. Two boisterous cats recently joined the crew, so all the more need for room. Guess it's gotta be a 40+... I certainly hear the point about the critical importance of a Happy Mom-- a truism by land and by sea... if only maternal happiness wasn't such a mysterious and moving target! I grew up on boats but not cruising-- mostly day sailing, small boat racing (Sunfish and 420s, mostly) and, later, teaching same. A handful of overnights here and there, and one memorable week out along the Frisian islands of Holland and back through the canals, but no long-term cruising. So the extended cruise, live-aboard concept is new to me. Are there any essential books-- practical, narrative or otherwise-- for the nascent cruiser as I look more closely into 42 configs and charters? Thanks again for your time and thoughts. -- Andrew in upstate New York
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oscar	Re: New to Catalinas and looking for advice	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 477 06/17/05 19:28:12	Hello Andrew, I grew up on the lakes of Holland....I can relate. Reading your posts I offer the following plan of attack: Order a half dozen magazine subscriptions, (Cruising World/Sailing/Sail/Ocean Navigator/Latts and Atts Magazine/Good Old Boat to name a few) find an ASA school and take some courses, up to and inlcuding Coastal Cruising, and rent different kinds of boats around the area. (Cape Cod, Chesapeake, Great Lakes.) Go to boat shows, get to know people with boats and go for a ride with them....(If you buy dinner they'll let you come back..) Going cruising is something you do on a boat you WANT. And in order to find out what you want, you have to sort through a lot of different kinds of boats. You don't start running a Marathon on a new, and unknown, pair of shoes.... After many years of sailing, I found that the Catalina 42 was the ideal boat for US.....three cabin as we have a boy/girl 7/12. Separate space cuts down on stress, says Mom. 42 feet is the minimum to have that arrangement and still have a livable arragement. Sailboat design is compromise: aesthetics, quality, comfort, performance and cost have to be juggled. Stability, speed, under sail, or power.....many variables, countless permutations. The Catalina 42 is, in my eyes, the best compromise and value out there, FOR US. You, your family, and your mission may find so too, or may need another type of vessel. It takes time, and this is part of the fun, Take your time and enjoy it.
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