Catalina 30
Videos
Photo: Ahunt / CC0
About the Catalina 30
First launched in 1976 and remaining in production until 2008, Frank Butler's Catalina 30 became one of America's most successful mid-size cruising sailboats, with over 6,400 hulls built during its impressive 32-year run. This popularity stems from Butler's thoughtful design that balances affordability, comfort, and solid sailing performance. The Catalina 30's moderate displacement of 10,200 pounds and generous beam of 10.83 feet create a stable, roomy platform ideal for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. With 446 square feet of sail area driving the masthead sloop rig, the boat offers respectable performance while remaining manageable for couples or small crews. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides good maneuverability and pointing ability. Butler designed the hull with a comfortable motion and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in new sailors while still satisfying more experienced crews. The boat's construction quality and parts availability remain excellent thanks to Catalina Yachts' continued support. While primarily suited for coastal and protected water sailing, many owners have successfully completed longer passages, making the Catalina 30 a versatile choice for sailors seeking reliable performance without breaking the budget.
Featured in Keel Index Articles
Market Price Estimate
Beta
$2,995 – $30,000
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
29.92 ft / 9.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam
10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft
5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement
10,200.00 lb / 4,627 kg
Ballast
4,200.00 lb / 1,905 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
446.00 ft² / 41.43 m²
Headroom
6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Frank Butler
Builder
Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built
1976
Last Built
2006
Number Built
6430
Associations
Catalina 30/309 Association (IC30A)
Related Sailboats
Catalina 30 Mkii
Owner Reviews
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
Known Issues & What to Watch For
The keel-to-hull joint is a known chronic problem on the Catalina 30. The cast iron fin keel is bolted through a shallow sump, and the joint frequently allows water intrusion, leading to rust staining, keel sump delamination, and in severe cases, keel wobble. Inspect the bilge sump carefully for rust streaks and soft fiberglass.
Keel bolts are cast iron and prone to corrosion, particularly in boats that have sat in the water for extended periods. The interior bilge area around the keel bolt heads should be inspected for rust, weeping, and deterioration of the backing plates.
The deck-to-hull joint on early Catalina 30s uses an external aluminum toerail that is through-bolted and serves as part of the joint. Bedding compound fails over time, allowing water intrusion along the entire hull-deck seam, often causing hidden delamination in the deck flange.
pre-1985 models
The cockpit locker lids and the area around the chainplates are notorious for leaking on the Catalina 30. Chainplates are inboard-mounted on the bulkhead and the deck fittings frequently allow water below, leading to wet interior and potential bulkhead rot around the chainplate attachment points.
Balsa core is used in the deck, and moisture intrusion around deck hardware — particularly stanchion bases, cleats, and the mast step — is a well-documented problem. Soft spots in the deck around these fittings indicate wet or deteriorated core.
The chainplates on the Catalina 30 are bolted to interior bulkheads rather than through-bolted to structural members in many configurations. The bulkheads can delaminate from the hull liner over time, compromising chainplate integrity. Inspect the interior bulkhead-to-liner bond at the chainplate attachment points.
The tabernacle-style mast step on deck (on sloop-rigged models) and the mast partner area are prone to cracking and stress fractures in the fiberglass deck around the base. Check for crazing or cracking in gelcoat around the mast boot area.
Early Catalina 30s were fitted with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine, which has a known history of carburetor problems, ethanol fuel compatibility issues, and raw water cooling corrosion. Many have been repowered with small diesel engines; confirm engine type and inspect raw water impeller housing for corrosion if still gasoline-powered.
pre-1980 models
The engine compartment on the Catalina 30 is very tight, making access to the Universal or Westerbeke diesel difficult for routine maintenance. Improperly maintained raw water cooling systems and exhaust elbows are common on these boats due to access difficulty; the exhaust elbow in particular is prone to corrosion and failure.
The interior liner system used by Catalina creates hidden voids between the liner and the hull where water can collect unseen. Moisture trapped in these voids promotes mold and can be difficult to dry out; lifting or separating liner sections near the bilge and settees is a known problem on older boats.
The rudder on the Catalina 30 uses a foam-cored fiberglass construction. Water intrusion into the rudder core through the lower pintle fitting or stress cracks leads to waterlogged or delaminated rudders, which can cause the rudder to fail structurally. Tap test the rudder and check for any movement at the pintle/gudgeon fittings.
Factory wiring on the Catalina 30 is often undersized by modern standards and routed through the same hidden liner voids that collect moisture. Corrosion at terminal connections and failed crimped terminals in the bilge area and behind the companionway panel are common findings on boats of this era.
pre-1990 models
Own or have surveyed a Catalina 30? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
15.22
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
41.18
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
291.43
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
24.93
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
6.70 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.64
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
967.42 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
14.92
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
41.00 ft / 12.50 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
35.00 ft / 10.67 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore
235.75 ft² / 21.90 m²
SA Main
201.25 ft² / 18.70 m²
SA Total (100%)
437.00 ft² / 40.60 m²
Est. Forestay Length
42.58 ft / 12.98 m
Mast Height (DWL)
45.92 ft / 14.00 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Var.
Engine Type
Var.
Fuel Capacity
21 gals / 79 L
Water Capacity
43 gals / 163 L
Resources & Community
Catalina 30 Buyer's Guide
History, versions, what to inspect, and real price data from active listings