Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986
1986
View full specs →
VS
Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986
1986
View full specs →

Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 carries a rated maximum of 21 hp. Engine data for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 could be the deciding factor.

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 has a documented displacement of 10 201 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,2 ft and 5,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 has a documented auxiliary engine of 21 hp.

Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail30.00 ft
Length overall - Detail29.11 ft
Length - Feet30
Length - Feet29.11
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Meters8.87
Length overall - Inches360
Length overall - Inches349
Draft [max] - Detail5.17 ft
Draft [max] - Detail5.20 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.58
Draft [max] - Meters1.58
Draft [max] - Inches62
Draft [max] - Inches62
Beamnot available
Beam10.10 ft
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3.08
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches121
Displacementnot available
Displacement10201.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters68.14
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Engine makeUniversal
Engine makenot available
Horsepower21 hp
Horsepowernot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacitynot available
Head1
Headnot available
Boat typePower
Boat typeSail
Riggingnot available
RiggingSloop
Mast Configurationnot available
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Body / Hull
Ruddernot available
Rudder1 spade rudder
Helmnot available
Helm1 wheel
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed6.7
Maximum speed measurenot available
Maximum speed measureknots

Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986?
The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 is the longer of the two at 30,0 feet overall. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 comes in at 29,1 feet, making it roughly 0,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 has a documented max rating of 21 hp. Engine specifications for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 has the deeper draft at 5,2 ft, versus 5,2 ft for the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Are the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 and Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Catalina Yachts 30 MkI 1986 and the Catalina Yachts Catalina 30 MkII - Tall Rig Tall Rig 1986 are built by Catalina Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.