Singlehanding a Catalina 27 Sailboat on a Pacific Ocean Afternoon 

What did it cost you

Hi! Here are my strong suggestions, after looking at multiple models and years before buying: 1. Get a C27 which is a later model that has the anchor rode locker accessible topside from the front of the bow, the older ones were a pain. Also, later models had forward protective roofing over the companionway hatch to protect it from spray and rain--these were major upgrades. Also, the later models had much better backing where the stays bolt into the deck. Mine is a 1982 with these improvements. 2. On any boat this small, I think an outboard is much better. The inboard takes up a huge amount of space, is noisy, hard to access, and the cabin may always smell like diesel. 3. If an outboard, try to find a boat that someone has upgraded with a rear bracket, instead of the outboard well. The wells were very small and made it hard to service the outboard or tilt it properly out of the water. The old outboard well is the perfect place to hold the gas tank. Also, the outboard needs to be an extra long shaft, 4 blades recommended. Power tilt and a remote control are very highly recommended. 4. I think a tiller is much better than a wheel on a boat this small. It makes it much easier to singlehand, as you can approach the tiller from different angles, tie it back, etc. Also, a tiller takes up far less space in the cockpit. You can fold up a tiller, but a wheel is always there. 5. It's tempting to look for the tall version mast instead of the standard, but it depends where you are sailing. I sail in the Pacific, where the standard height is just right. 6. Older C27s had travelers without rope controls. Impossible to move in a blow. Look for a newer model or upgrade the traveler--it is essential for balancing a C27. Also, I prefer my cabin-top traveler, to keep the mainsheet out of the cockpit. Hope that helps. Happy to answer more questions, Marc

theurbanman1 Mark, thank you very much for such informative advice...Been doing a lot of research and do think I want to stay with the C27. Was thinking of a C30 as well. However I’d like to keep it simple for my first sailboat. And from your advice and my research I do think I want to look for one with a tiller and an outboard.. Again, thank you for your time and advice.. Dee

@@dariovega325 Pleases me to no end to see this as I plan to aquire a 1986 Catalina 27 in 9 days. Tiller and outboard pocket in transom. Considering if a Jack plate would be the way to go.

The Catalina 27 is a great coastal cruiser. I personally would not sail one to Hawaii without significant structural modifications. I don't consider mine a "blue water" boat.

theurbanman1 if you don’t consider it a blue water, how did you shoot this video crossing the Pacific?

@@Sam-gl6bm I don't think he crossed the Pacific, he just sailed on it as c coastal cruiser. I wouldn't tale a C27 across an ocean unless it had major improvements, as Urbanman has stated.

how did it go i am interested in the same goal you have. did you find out anyencouraging news?

It's not so much the size, as the quality of the boat and the skill of the sailor. I would not feel comfortable taking a Catalina 27 across an ocean without major modifications to the production model, even if I were skillful enough as a sailor, which I am not. I am a proud coastal sailor in a charming coastal cruiser.

Check out Sam Holmes on youtube, he sailed a Ranger 23 from Cali to Hawaii. Others have done it in smaller, but well fitted boats capable of handling extreme conditions.

It's a Raymarine ST2000 autohelm. Works pretty well. The ST1000 isn't strong enough for a boat this size.

@@theurbanman1 thank you cause I just bought a new 27ft. catalina almost identical to yours and am hoping to travel much further distances with it. Do you know where I could buy a ST2000 autohelm?

@@theurbanman1 how did you install it