LIVING SPACE
Having not lived aboard before we were
determined to find a boat where we would
not be constantly tripping over each other.
From our first inspection, we were drawn to
the large cockpit with a wide companionway
that ventilates the boat well.
The broad beam provides an unusually large
saloon where we can comfortably entertain six
people in bad weather. The saloon table collapses
to make a double bed and the starboard sofa is
long enough for a six-foot man to stretch out.
Unfortunately the trade-off for the large saloon
in the Catalina 38 is a very small quarter-berth,
which has been converted into storage space.
USEFUL ADDITIONS
Our favorite addition is the excellent ground
tackle and peace of mind this gives us at anchor.
We have an oversized 20 kilogram Rocna with
100 foot of ten millimetre chain and 200 foot of
warp. The two-gear manual windlass is easy to
use and even in bad weather it is possible for a
small person to bring up the anchor.
Our practice is to tie approximately 20 foot of
nylon line to the chain as recommended on the
Rocna website. Using this method the snubber
goes beyond just reducing the sound of the chain
on the bow and becomes an important part of the
ground tackle to reduce shock.
While we have been cruising the Bahamas
we have loved visiting remote cays, many of
which are uninhabited. Fortunately the previous
owners increased water capacity from 41 to
110 gallons by adding two collapsible water
bladders, so if we are very careful we can last
four to six weeks without a refill.
WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE
Although we have become accustomed to
drinking warm beer and eating salami, it would
be a big improvement to our cruising lifestyle to
have a good marine refrigeration system onboard.
The boat came fitted with a small fridge,
which in a warm climate draws too much power
to run consistently from our solar power. The
galley has two large top-loading storage lockers
that could be converted with an Adler/Barbour
refrigeration kit and insulation.
After finalising the purchase of Life Is Good
we encountered one of our biggest learning
experiences as new boat owners when
organising insurance. Unlike the American
counterparts, our Australian insurance
company required a rigging inspection.
Despite the surveyor’s sound assessment of the
rigging, when we subsequently hired a rigging
specialist it was not a glowing report. He was
unable to prove the age of the rig and, although
it had likely been replaced since production for
insurance purposes, we were required to have it
all replaced at considerable expense.
No doubt many other cruisers have
spent several frustrating and smelly days
dismantling and repairing their marine head.
After such a recent unpleasant experience
removing calcium build-up from inside our
heads I am now convinced of the merits of
installing a self-contained composting toilet
without the need for plumbing, holding tanks
and through-hulls.
As our journey continues we would also like
to add deck fittings to bring the main halyard
into the cockpit so she can be safely managed
single-handedly.
Life Is Good is proving to be a fantastic first
boat for us. Now that she has got us as far as the
Bahamas we are learning more about living on
the water and sailing amongst stunning islands
and turquoise seas. ≈59
http://www.mysailing.com.auYvette and Brendan
have recently become
cruisers, leaving Sydney to purchase
Life Is Good, their Catalina 38’ in
Green Cove Springs, Florida. After
exploring Florida’s Inter-coastal
waterway they are now enjoying
six months of island hopping in the
Bahamas and then onto wherever
the wind blows next.YVETTE CARMAN
ABOVE: Proud
owners. Note the
shallow draft and
plenty of tumblehome.
LEFT: Our warm and
comely saloon.
OPPOSITE PAGE:
A shallow draft is a
wonderful advantage
of the Catalina 38.