Secondhand Sailboats

Catalina 30 Mk III

29.9 ft · masthead sloop · fin keel

Builder
Catalina Yachts
Designer
Frank Butler
Built
1994–2008
Family
Catalina 30
Also known as
Catalina 30 Mark III, Catalina 30 MkIII

Overview

The Catalina 30 Mk III (1994–2008) is the final generation of the Catalina 30: the hull was widened slightly aft of station seven to carry a walk-through transom with a boarding and swim platform, ports were added to the hull sides, and the cockpit coamings were widened, giving the boat a more 'Euro' look while keeping the 29 ft 11 in length, 10 ft 10 in beam and 10,200 lb displacement.

History

Introduced in 1994 and built at a slowing rate — about a dozen a year at the end — until the last hull, #6454, on 15 May 2008, after which the Catalina 309 took over.

Variants

A separate generation because the transom and aft hull sections are a different mould and the market lists 'Mk III' specifically. The Mk III's swim platform was standard, whereas it had been optional on some earlier boats. Standard and tall rigs, bowsprit and fin or wing keels were all still offered.

Buying used

The newest and dearest Catalina 30s; most have the Universal M-25 series diesel and wheel steering. Check the transom platform moulding and hull-side port seals in addition to the family-wide chainplate, mast-step and keel-joint items.

Catalina 30 family

Factory options

  • BowspritRig

    Optional bowsprit adding about 32 in to J.

  • Tall rigRig

    sail area 502 sq ft (46.6 m²)

  • Wing keelKeel

    Wing keel · draft 3′ 10″ (1.17 m)

Is it right for you?

Editorial judgments, not measurements. Each one says why.

  • Bluewater / offshoreNot suited · medium confidence

    Same hull construction and deck joint as the earlier marks; SpinSheet's 1998 review, which covers the Mk III, still limits it to coastal areas, lakes and bays.

  • TrailerabilityNot suited · high confidence

    Same 10 ft 10 in beam, fixed keel and 10,200 lb as the original.

Sources5 sources · 18 accepted facts

Every number on this page is traced to a source. Sources are listed in our order of preference: builder documentation first, then owners' associations and references, then the sailing press, then secondary summaries.

Owners' association

Magazine

Boat database