An important fact, a movie I’m looking forward to, and in the “pretty much really says it all” department…
So, how about a Catalina 27?
It was (and still is) a very popular 27-foot sailboat. Catalina made 6662 of the boats between 1971 and 1991 and as a result, there are a lot of affordable Catalina 27s out there for sale. What’s not to like?
For me, the Catalina 27 is proof positive that just about anyone can afford to to buy a socially acceptable sailboat and sail off into the sunset on a lean budget. Face it, the Catalina 27 is the very definition of the small ubiquitous cruising boat. Which, and this is important, makes it an exceptional stealth cruising platform. No one pays any attention to Catalina 27s and they just sorta/kinda disappear into the background. In our current state-of-affairs, this is akin to a super power.
Of course, to harness said super power, one has to avoid looking like a Grapes of Wrath* migration participant. You know, like this…
Sure you’re going to need a couple of solar panels and suchlike but the idea of cruising while not appearing to be cruising, is something of an art form and should be embraced whenever possible.
So yeah, the Catalina 27 might just be the boat you’re looking for.
*By the way, if you have not read the “Grapes of Wrath” it’s a good read and surprisingly attuned to the current world we’re about to experience. While you’re at it, “Travels With Charley” is another Steinbeck book you’d be doing yourself a favor by reading.
Is that the same mould that the British Jaguar 27 came from?
Good catch Ian.
Not sure if the Jaguar 27 used a Catalina mold but it is the same design. The Jaguar 27 also had a bilge keel version as well as transom hung rudder variation. PBO has a good article on the Jag here.