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Catalina 30

Built 1974–2008 by Catalina Yachts

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About the Catalina 30

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Catalina 30
Photo: Ahunt, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Built
1974–2008
Builder
Catalina Yachts
Designer
Frank Butler
Length
29.92 ft
Waterline
25 ft
Beam
10.83 ft
Draft
5.25 ft
Displacement
10,200 lb
Ballast
4,200 lb
Hull
fiberglass
Hull / keel
fin keel
Rig
sloop
Propulsion
inboard
Fuel
21 gal
Water
43 gal
Number built
6,430
Stern thruster
none
Steering
pedestal cable · Edson

Standard, tall and bowsprit rigs; deep fin, shoal (4.3 ft) and wing (3.83 ft) keels. Mark II from about hull 3300 (1986, T-shaped cockpit); Mark III from 1994 (walk-through transom). Early boats had Atomic 4 gas, Atomic-Diesel, Universal 5411 or early Yanmar engines; the 3-cylinder Universal M-25 became standard in the mid-1980s. Builder history: introduced December 1974; hull 5,000 in 1987, 6,000 in 1990. Original Mark I brochure confirms 29 ft 11 in LOA, 10,200 lb, 4,200 lb lead ballast, 5 ft 3 in draft. Hull-deck joint is a flange with polyester slurry and screws under the rubrail.

Known problems for this model

1 more
  • Engine low in the bilge engine
    The engine sits in the lowest part of the bilge under the settee, making it vulnerable to bilge water.
    practical-sailor.com

Engines & parts

Universal Atomic 4 parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Universal Atomic 4”

Tens of thousands were built (sources say from 40,000 to 50,000). Despite being out of production for decades, the engine is well supported: Moyer Marine sells parts, rebuilt engines, fuel pump rebuilds and exhaust parts, and hosts an owners' forum; Old Lyme Marina and others also supply parts, and electronic ignition upgrades are available.

Parts sources: Moyer Marine

Common problems (3)
  • Raw-water cooling scale and corrosion cooling
    Most Atomic 4s are raw-water cooled, so the block scales up and corrodes, especially in salt water; cranking without starting can also flood the engine with seawater through the exhaust.
    goodoldboat.com · moyermarineforum.com · keelindex.com
  • Gasoline vapor fire/explosion risk fuel
    Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and settles in the bilge, so ventilation, blower use and shutting the fuel valve (a stuck carburetor float can overflow) matter.
    goodoldboat.com
  • Ignition and fuel system faults electrical
    Points, condenser, cap and wires, plus gummed carburetors and contaminated fuel, are the most common reasons an Atomic 4 won't run well.
    keelindex.com · goodoldboat.com

Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.

Universal M-25 / M-25XP / M-25XPB parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Universal M-25”

Marinized Kubota blocks with plenty of parts support: the M-25 is based on the Kubota D850 and the M-25XP on the Kubota D950 (B7200 tractor engine), so many internal parts can be bought through Kubota/tractor channels for far less than marine prices. Kubota dealers need the block model/serial, which is often painted over, so cross-referencing can be hit or miss. Some marine parts (e.g., gear case cover) are no longer made.

Parts sources: Westerbeke / Universal (factory parts store), Kubota USA parts lookup

Common problems (2)
  • Discontinued marine parts and Kubota cross-reference engine
    Owners struggle to cross Universal part numbers to Kubota numbers and find certain covers and marine-specific parts discontinued.
    forums.sailboatowners.com · ericsonyachts.org
  • Repower fit questions engine
    Owners of older Catalina 30s ask whether an M-25XP drops in; it generally fits but couplers and mounts may differ.
    facebook.com

Steering

Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good

Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)

Common problems (3)
  • Old or slack steering wire steering
    Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.
    usna.edu · youtube.com
  • Lubrication and fastener checks steering
    Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.
    usna.edu
  • Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
    Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.
    forums.sailboatowners.com

Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good

Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.

Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)

Model sources (9)

sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · forums.sailboatowners.com · cruisersforum.com · sailnet.com · catalinadirect.com · catalinayachts.com · catalinayachts.com · catalina30.com

Other Catalina models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.