Lady K Sailing · video

What this video covers

A Catalina 30 purchased for $10,000–$15,000 forms the base of a complete liveaboard refit budgeted at under $20,000.▶ 0:31 Lady K walks through each upgrade in sequence, starting with leak elimination: re-bedding port lights, mast step, and chain plates using butyl tape and new gaskets for roughly $500, plus a check of keel bolts.▶ 1:18 The electrical system centers on two 400-watt solar panels (~$800), a DIY arch, an MPPT charge controller (~$200), and a 300 amp-hour lithium battery from Amazon (~$1,000), totaling about $1,000–$1,200 for an off-grid power setup capable of running a refrigerator, lights, and laptop.▶ 1:57 Used sails sourced from sites like Bacon Sails, combined with standing rigging inspection and new halyards, come in under $1,500.▶ 3:09 Remaining budget goes toward comfort: new v-berth foam, LED lighting, a composting toilet, a 12-volt fridge, and a cockpit enclosure.▶ 4:41 The Catalina 30's production run of 6,400 hulls means parts and forum support are widely available.▶ 0:46 Lady K flags the boat's limits explicitly: it is a weather-window cruiser, not a bluewater passagemaker, and staying in port when conditions exceed its capability is non-negotiable.▶ 3:48

Boats in this video

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