from the elements.
Monster kill tanks, complete with
macerators in the cockpit, a rocket
launcher wedded in behind the lounge,
a set of fish-finding electronics and a
pair of 350 Verados straining to gallop
to the shelf — all scream fishing.
Everything else is the pleated luxury
and white shoe refinement of an
exclusive harbour cruiser.
Teak decks and trim combine with a
cream leather-looking vinyl to impart a
nostalgic element to the modern lines
and fulsome power supply. Here’s a
boat where the craftspeople take pride
in their achievement.
A well-padded lounge wraps around
the curve of the bow and joins with a
twin forward-facing sunpad to make
a separate socialising area up front.
You get an idea of the extent of the bow
flare with the broad expanse of the
teak and fibreglass gunwale extending
past the seating area into open space.
The lounges come away for fishing,
so you get a casting platform over the
fibreglassseatbases,whicharefilled
with beautifully moulded storage
spaces.
Naturallyenough,thecockpitshows
the Catalina’s potential dual role
becauseitdramaticallyswapsbetween
relaxingandfishing.Seatsliftfrom
thetransomandthesidestoteam
withateaktable,whichfoldsfromthe
helm to make a dining or drinking
space under an awning that extends
electronically from the pilothouse roof.
Return everything from their hidden
places,andthecockpitisalarge
fishingplatformincludingasidedoor
to haul in the catch.
Thesidedoorisbeautifullycrafted
to swing inboard on big hinges and
stow safely away, while an equally
impressive dive ladder folds out fromahatchinthecockpitsole.Asecond
door at the transom and a swim
platform with another ladder ensure
there’s no waiting time for swimmers
togetbackonboard.
ThePilothousetakesthefootprint
ofacentreconsole,sothereisroom
eithersideforaccesstothebowwhile
makingroomforacabinbelow.A
pantograph door opens flush with
theportsidesectionoftheconsoleto
facilitate passageway forward and the
entrance below. There I found a north-
southdoublebed,anelectricheadand
asinkinawell-litandcomfortable
enclosurethatwouldextendthe30’s
versatilitytocruisingovernight.
Dualhelmseatswithbolstersand
armrestsareascomfortableasyou
wouldexpect,butIfoundtheposition
alittlelowforsafevisioncloseahead
when moving in busy sections of the
harbour. Standing solved any problem.American muscle in an American
boat with performance to please and
the sea-kindliness of a champion. If
you can handle the thought of
getting it messy, then this might be
the boat for you.CLOCKWISE FROM MAIN The trimmings say cruise, the gear says fish; Plenty of power on
tap; An enjoyable ride no matter what your goal is; Luxury meets functionality on board the
Catalina 30.tradeboats.com.au 69Chris-Cr aft Catalina 30