Catalina Yachts 30
Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1976–2008
One of the most successful production yachts in history, with over 6,000 hulls built during a 32-year run
Designed by Frank W. Butler.
- LOA
- Beam
- Draft (max)
- Displacement
- Ballast
- Hull type
- Fin w/spade Rudder
See her sail
The Catalina Yachts 30, on the water
The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.
Footage from Sailing Solé
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
LivelyComfort 25Sea-kindly
CoastalCapsize 2.00Bluewater
LightD/L 291Heavy
EasygoingSA/D 14.9Powered-up
TenderBallast 41%Stiff
A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.
The living fleet
Sailed by the fleet
The channels sailing this model, and where they were last seen.
Seen 20 times across 6 channels of the fleet.
On the water
The Catalina Yachts 30 on video
I KILLED MY DINGHY & MADE BAD CHOICESSailing SoléWINDLASS FIX & SOLAR PANEL UPGRADE | DIY BOAT WORK Sailing SoléPREPARING TO LEAVE | Catalina 30 Boat WorkSailing Solé🛑 CHANNEL UPDATE! 🛑Sailing SoléNEVER GO TO AVALON WITHOUT DOING THIS!Sailing SoléSAILING & FISHING from CATALINA to LB | GOOD WIND & SWELL | EP83 Sailing SoléHOW TO tune my SAILBOAT RIGGING | Catalina 30 BOAT WORKSailing SoléTHINKING OF BUYING A BOAT WATCH THIS!Wicked SaltyEP21 - Catalina 30 Solar & Lithium Battery InstallationSailing SoléPerfect $20,000 Sailboat (Catalina 30 Refit on a Budget) - Ep 358 - Lady K SailingLady K SailingBest 30ft Sailboat to Buy? Catalina 30 Walkthrough & Review - Ep 349 - Lady K SailingLady K SailingEp#355 Pre-Race With DobbsSailing Into Oblivion
Also on YouTube
- The $89k 55 Foot Bluewater Yacht That Got Cheap Enough to Be DangerousPractical Sailor
- SOMETHING ALWAYS GOES WRONG ON A SAILBOAT!Sailing Solé
- 🔥2026 BOAT AUCTION ⛵️BUY CHEAP BOATS! Sailing Solé
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- SAILING to Avalon & DENIED! | Anchoring in 120 FEET!Sailing Solé
- 🥶DIY BOAT ICEBOX to FRIDGE Conversion | STEP BY STEP INSTALLATION Sailing Solé
- Sailing Into the Mountains, Searching for Bears. [Ep 2]Sailing Magic Carpet
What broke, what changed
Gear aboard, as the crews told it
Moments from individual boats of this model that the fleet has filmed — one crew, one piece of kit, one day on the water. Not a review of the class, and not a count of anything.
ReplacedRenogyin place of bifacial solar panels
The owner replaced existing Renogy solar panels due to insufficient power production.
aboard Sailing Soléseen May 20261:11
BoughtOrca
The speaker acquired an Orca navigation system, including the brain and a waterproof screen, for installation.
aboard Sailing Soléseen May 202617:32
ConsideredGarminalongside Veritron
The speaker considered replacing the anemometer with a Garmin unit but decided against it to maintain compatibility with the existing masthead mount.
aboard Sailing Soléseen March 20265:31
ConsideredB&Galongside Veritron
The speaker considered replacing the anemometer with a B&G unit but decided against it to maintain compatibility with the existing masthead mount.
aboard Sailing Soléseen March 20266:48
ConsideredRaymarinealongside Veritron
The speaker considered replacing the anemometer with a Raymarine unit but decided against it to maintain compatibility with the existing masthead mount.
aboard Sailing Soléseen March 20265:29
WorkingVictron
The Victron app was used to monitor and confirm increased solar panel performance after the bimini was removed.
aboard Sailing Soléseen May 202615:17
Each line is one crew's account of their own boat. Another Catalina Yachts 30 may be fitted out entirely differently.
What they go for
Market signal
Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.
1seen sold
2channels looked into buying
$500Median asking
Sold
Sold at auction for $500
from Sailing Soléseen June 202520:42
Weighed buying
The video provides a comprehensive review of this model, including typical pricing, for those considering purchasing one
from Lady K Sailingseen September 20257:41
From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.9
Displacement / length
291.4
Comfort ratio
24.9
Capsize screening
2.00
Hull speed
6.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
967
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1976–2008
Units built
6430
Designer
Frank W. Butler
Builder
Catalina Yachts
Boats like this, on the water
More boats like her, on the water
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Cal Boats 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthOffered with an optional tall rig, this masthead sloop served as the predecessor to the 2-30 series
Islander 329.91 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA J.H. McGlasson-designed masthead sloop that served as the foundational hull for the later Islander 33 and 34 models
Contessa 329.75 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA 1973 London Boat Show winner with a skeg-hung rudder and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 47 percent
Maxi Yachts 959.50 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA 9.5-metre masthead sloop produced for a decade, featuring a skeg-hung rudder for predictable coastal handling
Hunter Marine 339.96 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA 1977 masthead sloop with a 38% ballast ratio, designed for stability and coastal performance
Hunter Marine 319.55 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Cortland Steck design featuring a B&R rig and a fin keel, built for coastal cruising between 1983 and 1987
The family
Related models
The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.
Catalina Yachts 30 MKIIIThe final evolution of the series, featuring an open transom and updated interior layout produced through 2008Catalina Yachts Capri 30A high-performance masthead sloop with a powerful sail-area-to-displacement ratio, designed by F. Butler for speed.Catalina Yachts 30 (W/BOWSPRIT)Extended by a bowsprit, this masthead sloop offers a 1.62-metre draft and a stable 41% ballast ratio for coastal workCatalina Yachts 25A 7.6-metre fin-keel sloop produced for fifteen years, offering a stable, high-volume platform for coastal cruisingCatalina Yachts 30 MKIIFeaturing a redesigned T-shaped cockpit and updated deck, this masthead sloop offered optional wing keels and tall rigsCatalina Yachts 34A high-volume production cruiser with 1,438 hulls built, featuring a fin keel and spade rudder for coastal performance
Keep asking
The fleet has more to say
Search what's been said about the Catalina Yachts 30, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.
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