Catalina 30 Mkii
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About the Catalina 30 Mkii
Designed by Gerry Douglass and built by Catalina Yachts from 1986 to 1991, this popular 30-footer represents the evolution of one of America's most successful production sailboats. The Mark II improved upon the original Catalina 30's already proven formula, maintaining the spacious 10.83-foot beam that gives the boat its notably roomy interior while refining various design elements. With a fin keel and spade rudder configuration paired with 4,200 pounds of ballast in her 10,200-pound displacement, this masthead sloop offers predictable handling characteristics that have made it a favorite among both new and experienced sailors. The moderate sail area of 437 square feet provides adequate power without being overwhelming, while the hull's 6.70-knot theoretical hull speed makes for respectable passage times. Her comfort ratio of 24.93 and capsize screening value of 2.0 indicate a boat well-suited for coastal cruising and protected waters rather than extended offshore passages. The Catalina 30 Mark II excelled as an affordable entry point into cruising, offering weekend warriors and coastal explorers a reliable platform with good resale value. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, contributing to the model's enduring popularity in the used boat market.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$27,800 – $27,800
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)
437.00 ft² / 40.60 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Gerry Douglass
Builder
Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built
1986
Last Built
1991
Associations
Catalina 30/309 Association (IC30A)
Related Sailboats
Catalina 30 Mkiii
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The fin keel is attached with keel bolts that are prone to weeping and corrosion where they pass through the hull. The keel-to-hull joint should be carefully inspected for cracking, rust staining, and soft or delaminated fiberglass around the sump area.
The deck-to-hull joint on the Catalina 30 MkII uses an external aluminum toe rail to clamp the joint. This joint is known to allow water intrusion, leading to wet core material in the deck, particularly along the hull-deck flange. Probe the deck edge carefully for softness.
The balsa-cored deck is prone to water intrusion around deck hardware and chainplate penetrations, resulting in soft or rotted core sections. This is particularly common around stanchion bases, cleats, and the mast partner area.
The chainplates on the MkII are internal and attach to a fiberglass shelf. The chainplate-to-deck seal frequently fails, allowing water below and causing hidden corrosion on the chainplates themselves. Removal and inspection of chainplates is strongly recommended during survey.
The spade rudder is supported by a single rudder shaft with a relatively shallow bearing arrangement. The rudder bearings wear over time, and play in the rudder is common on boats of this vintage. Excess slop in the helm should be investigated for bearing wear or shaft corrosion.
Many Catalina 30 MkIIs were fitted with the Universal M25 or M25XP diesel. The heat exchanger on these engines is known to fail and the raw water impeller housing can crack. Check for overheating history and inspect the heat exchanger carefully.
The engine is installed in a relatively tight compartment under the companionway steps, making access to the back of the engine and transmission very difficult. Poor access contributes to deferred maintenance; verify that service records reflect regular attention.
The tabbing securing interior furniture (settee supports, bulkheads) to the hull was applied at the factory and is known to crack and detach over time on Catalina boats of this era, particularly in high-stress areas around the mast support post and compression post base.
Factory wiring on MkII-era Catalinas was often minimally sized and used low-quality terminals that corrode and fail. Wiring runs in the bilge area are frequently found wet and corroded. A full electrical inspection is warranted, particularly in the bilge and engine compartment runs.
The mast step sits on the keel centerline on deck-stepped versions and relies on a compression post below. The base of this post and its connection to the keel structure should be inspected for crushing or movement, as Catalina's tabbing here can loosen over time.
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
186
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
14.92
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
How It Compares
vs. Catalina 30 Mkiii
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Dimensions
LOA
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LWL
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Beam
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Displacement
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Ballast
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Sail Area
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Performance
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
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Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
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Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Catalina 30 Mkii ★
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Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Catalina 30 Mkii ★
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Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
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Hull Speed
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