CATALINA 30
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 29.92 ft |
| LWL | 25 ft |
| Beam | 10.83 ft |
| Draft | 5.25 ft |
| Shoal Draft | 4.30 ft(1.31 m) |
| Shoal Draft (WING) | 3.83 ft(1.17 m) |
| Displacement | 10,200 lb |
| Ballast | 4,200.4 lb |
| Material | 29’ 11”9.12 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 43 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 13.16 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 37 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 453.1 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 235.8 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 400.8 sq ft |
| Rig | I | J | P | E | SA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOWSPRIT OPTION (STD) | 41.00 | 13.15 | 37.00 | 12.00 | 491.58 |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 2 |
| Berths | 4 |
| Heads | 1 |
| CE category | N/A€ |
Engine
| Universal | 541125 hpSee all 6 parts → |
| Universal | Atomic 430 hpSee all 6 parts → |
| Universal | M-2520 hpSee all 12 parts → |
| Universal | M-25XP23 hpSee all 12 parts → |
About the CATALINA 30
With more than 6000 sold, the Catalina 30 is one of the most successful production sailing yachts in history. During the long production run of this basic model there were a great number of variations with standard and tall rig configurations, each with a bowsprit option, and also including shoal, wing and deep fin keels. A MK II version began around hull# 3300 (1986).(T-shaped cockpit is the most notable change) The Mark III (1994) (walk-thru transom with boarding/swim platform standard though offered as an option on earlier models.) Aux. power: The early Yanmar, Universal 5411 and Atomic-4 engines were phased out in favor of the 3-cylinder Universal M-25 diesels during the middle 80s.
Designed by Frank Butler and built by Catalina Yachts (USA) from 1976–2008, the Catalina 30 is a prolific masthead sloop with 6430 hulls produced. Its enduring popularity is reflected in a diverse fleet equipped with engines ranging from Universal and Atomic 4 to Yanmar and Kubota, alongside widespread adoption of Raymarine and Garmin electronics.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors seeking a stable, comfortable platform with a high comfort ratio of 24.93 and ample interior volume. It is well-suited for couples or small families who prioritize ease of handling and established support networks over high-performance racing.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 10200.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.0, the boat offers moderate offshore stability, though its fin keel and relatively low D/L ratio of 291.43 suggest it is better suited for coastal passages than heavy-weather bluewater voyaging.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Cal 30 and O'Day 302, which share similar displacement and beam dimensions from the same era. These vessels offer similar cruising comfort and interior layouts, making them direct competitors for buyers seeking a 30-foot trailerable or dockable cruiser.
Direct variant of the CATALINA 30
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 60° | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| 75° | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| 90° | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| 110° | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.7 |
| 120° | 4.9 | 5.9 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.9 |
| 135° | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.8 |
| 150° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.4 |
| Beat VMG | 3.1 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Run VMG | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Images
Estimated Value
High ConfidenceAsking price by model year
228 listings · boat years 1975–1995 · median $15,500
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 29.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
34 reported issues across 11 systems for the CATALINA 30, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CATALINA 30? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 34 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Engine Parts & Maintenance
The engines most commonly fitted to this model. “All parts” opens the engine's full catalogue; each part links to a matching listing on 
or 
matched to its part number.
Universal Atomic 4
All parts →Universal M-25
All parts →Don't see your engine listed? Search all engines → to find parts for the exact engine fitted to your boat.
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Used sails that fit the CATALINA 30
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…