Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

  • Sailboat Guide

Omega 36 is a 36 ′ 1 ″ / 11 m monohull sailboat designed by Ron Holland and built by Family Boats (SWE) between 1985 and 1991.

Drawing of Omega 36

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

  • About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • New Sailboats
  • Sailboats 21-30ft
  • Sailboats 31-35ft
  • Sailboats 36-40ft
  • Sailboats Over 40ft
  • Sailboats Under 21feet
  • used_sailboats
  • Apps and Computer Programs
  • Communications
  • Fishfinders
  • Handheld Electronics
  • Plotters MFDS Rradar
  • Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
  • Anchoring Mooring
  • Running Rigging
  • Sails Canvas
  • Standing Rigging
  • Diesel Engines
  • Off Grid Energy
  • Cleaning Waxing
  • DIY Projects
  • Repair, Tools & Materials
  • Spare Parts
  • Tools & Gadgets
  • Cabin Comfort
  • Ventilation
  • Footwear Apparel
  • Foul Weather Gear
  • Mailport & PS Advisor
  • Inside Practical Sailor Blog
  • Activate My Web Access
  • Reset Password
  • Customer Service

omega 36 sailboat review

  • Free Newsletter

omega 36 sailboat review

Pearson 37 and 37-2 Used Boat Review

Keep an eye out for corroded exhaust and signs of water intrusion, which could lead to expensive repairs in the future.

DIY Survey Checklist for Used-Boat Buying

omega 36 sailboat review

Valiant 40: Reshaping the Cruising Hull

omega 36 sailboat review

Bristol Channel Cutter 28: Circumnavigator’s Choice

Irwin Vise-Grip Wire Stripper. (Photo/ Adam Morris)

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

600-watt solar panel system on Summer Twins 28 sailing catamaran Caribbean Soul 2. (Photo/ Clifford Burgess)

Thinking Through a Solar Power Installation

omega 36 sailboat review

How Does the Gulf Stream Influence our Weather?

A lithium conversion requires a willing owner and a capable craft. Enter the Privilege 435 catamaran Confianza.

Can You Run a Marine Air-Conditioner on Battery Power?

omega 36 sailboat review

Practical Sailor Classic: The Load on Your Rode

omega 36 sailboat review

Anchor Rodes for Smaller Sailboats

omega 36 sailboat review

Ground Tackle Inspection Tips

omega 36 sailboat review

Shoe Goo II Excels for Quick Sail Repairs

When starting lights up the tester, that means your spark plug is good. (Photo/ David Corrao)

Dinghy Outboard Diagnostics

This Perkins M20, 3 cyl, 18hp diesel engine is cleaned, inspected and antifreeze flushed after a winter on the hard. Due to proper prep for both winter and spring, it is now running smoothly. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Spring Season Engine Start-Up for Winterized Engines

omega 36 sailboat review

Solutions for a Stinky Holding Tank

omega 36 sailboat review

Diesel Performance Additives

With a few inexpensive materials and a bit of patience, you can redo the vinyl lettering on your boat yourself. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Vinyl Boat Lettering DIY Application and Repair

Little things that are hardly necessary but nice to have start in the galley.

Those Extras you Don’t Need But Love to Have

Hidden Maintenance Problems: Part 3 – Gremlins in the Electrics

omega 36 sailboat review

Three-Model BBQ Test

omega 36 sailboat review

Alcohol Stoves— Swan Song or Rebirth?

omega 36 sailboat review

Living Aboard with an Alcohol Stove

omega 36 sailboat review

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

omega 36 sailboat review

How to Select Crew for a Passage or Delivery

omega 36 sailboat review

Preparing A Boat to Sail Solo

omega 36 sailboat review

Re-sealing the Seams on Waterproof Fabrics

omega 36 sailboat review

Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

omega 36 sailboat review

Reducing Engine Room Noise

omega 36 sailboat review

Tricks and Tips to Forming Do-it-yourself Rigging Terminals

marine toilet test

Marine Toilet Maintenance Tips

  • Inside Practical Sailor

The Best Sailboats for the High Seas?

omega 36 sailboat review

At the St. Petersburg Boat Show month last month, I had the pleasure of seeing delivery skipper and author John Kretschmers presentation on what he called sailboats for a serious ocean. I have reservations about any ideal boat list, but Kretschmer, who reviews boats for Sail Magazine and whose most recent book Sailing a Serious Ocean is available in our online bookstore , has the ideal background for this sort of work, and a list like this is undeniably helpful for wannabe cruisers who need a place to start their search.

I certainly wouldnt limit my search to boats on such a list, but by paying careful attention to the pros and cons of each, you can find something that suits your own aspirations.

Here are the boats Kretschmer suggests: Contessa 32, Pacific Seacraft 34, Pretorien 35, Cape Dory/Robinhood 36, Valiant/Esprit 37, Prout Snowgoose 37, Alajuela 38, Privelege 39, Freya 39, Passport 40, Caliber 40, Baba 40, Hallberg Rassy 42, Taswell 43, Hylas 44, Norseman 447, Beneteau 456, Outbound 44, Hylas 46, Kaufman 47, Tayana 48, Hylas 49, Amel Maramu 53, and the Sundeer 60/64. For a brief capsule summary of each, be sure to check out his website.

The list is hardly definitive. There are plenty of good boats that arent featured, and some of these would be ill-matched for the wrong sailor-Kretschmer clearly pointed this out during his talk. I like how the list presents a good cross-section of the various shapes and sizes for a boat in this category. For example, Kretschmer includes the Prout Snowgoose and Steve Dashews Sundeer 60, boats that, notwithstanding their successful record at sea, fill an outlying niche.

If I were going to expand the list, one of the heavier-displacement microcruisers like those I blogged about would be a nice addition. Although I would be wary of promoting even the most formidable of this breed as well-suited for a serious ocean, John Neale of Mahina Tiare Expeditions includes one of them, the Dana 24, on his own list of recommend cruising boats . Neales much broader list of boats is accompanied by a very helpful discussion of design elements to consider.

What got me thinking about formidable cruising boats was our series of reports o n sailboat construction , focusing specifically on structural details. Although there are plenty of excellent coastal cruisers on the market, once you start talking about offshore duty, scan’tlings (the dimensions for structural components) take on far more importance.

A few years ago we touched on this subject in our Mailport section, encouraging readers to suggest their own nominees for a list of what we called at the time, tough boats, vessels that were built to take a beating, requiring minimal care and upkeep.

Here are some of the boats that were suggested from our readers: Mariner 36, Cal 34, Morgan 43, Swan 43, Bermuda 40, Island Packet 26, Mariner 47, LeComte Northeast 38, Westsail 32, Dana 24, J/35, and the CSY 44.

Id be interested in hearing of other nominees for this list, or other good resources for sailors looking for a short list of good offshore boats.

For those who are frustrated to find that their own ideal boat isn’t on anybodys list, I wouldnt be too miffed. The best line Ive heard in a while on this topic came from Steve Callahan, the author of the survival classic Adrift , who gave a presentation at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show . When I asked Steve, who has sailed extensively on both multihulls and monohulls, what type of boat he preferred, he said, quite seriously. Well, at the end of the day, the best cruising boat is the one that you are on.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Interesting list. I am fond of Hylas of which you chose three models. However, I am suspect of their yard and construction techniques and do not have confidence that they are as strong as they are beautiful. Only one Hallberg-Rassy was selected, which is a far more robust and dry sailing boat than the Hylas. Passports make a good boat as does Cape Dory and several others on your list. Didn’t four sailors die on a Beneteau in 2018? Over all it is a decent list.

https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/25/last-pictures-doomed-yacht-cheeki-rafiki-sank-killing-four-british-sailors-7497805/

I believe this is the accident you’re talking about in which a Beneteau and it’s bolted on keel parted company.

Almost all of the sailing clubs in San Diego rent Beneteaus out. They are a decent coastal sailboat. I have a couple friends who have even made the crossing to Maui in them..not me, not ever. I consider them a living room boat. Having said that, I am certainly no expert so its just my opinion. If I am crossing an ocean I want a capable kindly strong boat with redundancy built into critical systems.

Curious to think what people think about the early 70s Swan 43 as a cruising boat for a couple with occasional guests for a round the world trip? I have an S&S 30 which is too small but I do have some bias towards their designs. Add a watermaker and some power generation and off you go… Any thoughts?

Are Motor Sailors like the Nauticats or Fishers ocean worthy ( if their pilot house windows and sliding doors are lifeboatified ? )

Walt Schulz’s Shannon 43 is a beautiful, sea kindly, comfortable and sturdy bluewater boat. Walt had not only the ICW and Bahamas in mind when he designed and built 52 of them. He designed for ocean cruising. He believes his boats should outlive him and still sailing for generations. We sailed the Chesapeake, Bahamas, Caribbean and Pacific to Australia on a Shannon 43 ketch. She took great care of us and is still turning heads.

Great article! John Kretchmer is one of my fave modern day sailors. While there is only one Crealock design on John’s list, and the Dana is added on John Neale’s list, I was surprised not to see a Crealock/ Pacific Seacraft 37 mentioned. But there are so many great serious off shore boats, it’s hard to narrow it down to 10. Here’s a few to think about. Cape George Cutter 36. Biscay 36, tradewind 35, Rustler 36, Nicholson 31 (never talked about) and 32. Seldom seen on top 10 lists, but great boats. Thanks for the article.

Great comment and interesting to note that the first four of your additions are those currently entered in the 2022 Golden Globe Race – kind of the definition of a blue water boat.

Hey! I know this is somewhat off-topic however I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog like yours take a massive amount work? I am completely new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!|

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

Hanse 410: What You Should Know | Boat Tour video from Practical Sailor

Hanse 410: What You Should Know | Boat Tour

Sailboat vs Fishing Boat - Rules of the Road video from Practical Sailor

Sailboat vs Fishing Boat – Rules of the Road

Catalina 445: What You Should Know | Boat Review video from Practical Sailor

Catalina 445: What You Should Know | Boat Review

How to Wax and Polish Your Boat video from Practical Sailor

How to Wax and Polish Your Boat

  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Online Account Activation
  • Privacy Manager

OMEGA 36 Detailed Review

https://images.harbormoor.com/originals/0e6de35e-0ad3-437b-9d73-a348ce74fcb7

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of OMEGA 36. Built by undefined and designed by Ron Holland, the boat was first built in 1985. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 11. Its sail area/displacement ratio 21.37. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Yanmar, runs on Diesel.

OMEGA 36 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about OMEGA 36 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the omega 36.

OMEGA 36 was designed by Ron Holland.

When was OMEGA 36 first built?

OMEGA 36 was first built in 1985.

How long is OMEGA 36?

OMEGA 36 is 9.15 m in length.

What is mast height on OMEGA 36?

OMEGA 36 has a mast height of 14.1 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

The Omega 36 is a 36.09ft fractional sloop designed by Ron Holland and built in fiberglass between 1985 and 1991.

210 units have been built..

The Omega 36 is a light sailboat which is a high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a fast cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a very short water supply range.

Omega 36 sailboat under sail

Omega 36 for sale elsewhere on the web:

omega 36 sailboat review

Main features

Model Omega 36
Length 36.09 ft
Beam 11.02 ft
Draft 5.58 ft
Country Germany (Europe)
Estimated price $ 0 ??

Login or register to personnalize this screen.

You will be able to pin external links of your choice.

omega 36 sailboat review

See how Sailboatlab works in video

Sail area / displ. 21.37
Ballast / displ. 37.84 %
Displ. / length 185.54
Comfort ratio 22.33
Capsize 1.97
Hull type Monohull fin keel with rudder on skeg
Construction Fiberglass
Waterline length 30.02 ft
Maximum draft 5.58 ft
Displacement 11244 lbs
Ballast 4255 lbs
Hull speed 7.34 knots

omega 36 sailboat review

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Rigging Fractional Sloop
Sail area (100%) 668 sq.ft
Air draft 0 ft ??
Sail area fore 311.61 sq.ft
Sail area main 356.66 sq.ft
I 42.98 ft
J 14.50 ft
P 46.26 ft
E 15.42 ft
Nb engines 1
Total power 27 HP
Fuel capacity 21 gals

Accommodations

Water capacity 39 gals
Headroom 0 ft
Nb of cabins 0
Nb of berths 0
Nb heads 0

Builder data

Builder ??
Designer Ron Holland
First built 1985
Last built 1991
Number built 210

Other photos

omega 36 sailboat review

Modal Title

The content of your modal.

Personalize your sailboat data sheet

Paste a link here:

Give it a title:

And eventually a link to an image for the thumbnail:

SailNet Community banner

  • Forum Listing
  • Marketplace
  • Advanced Search
  • About The Boat
  • Boat Builders Row
  • SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Should I even consider a c-36 MK1?

omega 36 sailboat review

  • Add to quote

I've been around a lot of Catalina 30s and I'm very familiar with the "smile" and all the efforts my friends used to make to reduce the smile. the plywood in the keel stubs troubles me, and because I know about woodworking it troubles me even more! If anyone can +- thoughts on this, please sound off!  

omega 36 sailboat review

Wow! Haven't seen you post here in years! The Cat 36 (and the very similar 34) were made for a lot of years. Also lots of variations - keels, regular and tall rig, Mk 1, 1.5, 2, etc. The Cat 36 Mk 1 was built into the 90s so I am sure lots of changes over it's long run. Owners association is probably the best source for specific info.  

omega 36 sailboat review

Wood was only used in the keel stub prior to 1988.  

The Catalina 36 had an uncored, solid fiberglass hull. I'd recommend the version with frameless portlights. I think those also had decks cored with end grain balsa rather than plywood. The "Catalina smile" was usually caused by a hard grounding, not by faulty design or construction. Examine it carefully, as you would any boat, and have it surveyed. If the decks are solid, there are no leaks, and the engine and drive train are good, then why not consider it?  

Well, yes the MK1 would be in that vintage with the plywood in the stub Basically there is plywood in the keel stub as mentioned earlier up until about 1988 and they use plywood it's just a matter of when it will get soggy not if and I pretty much decided I'm not going to go with any of the Catalina models that have plywood in the stub, which actually is more of the cause of the smile than a grounding  

The Mark I was built through 1993. capttb says "wood was only used in the keel stub prior to 1988." I have heard the same elsewhere, but would suggest you confirm that with a phone call to Catalina. If so, a wooden keel stub would not be a concern for about 5 production years of the C36 Mark I.  

omega 36 sailboat review

Welcome back, Denise. I'd love to see you out end up with another boat. I'm sure you'll choose wisely.  

This pdf from Catalina regarding repair notes the pre 1988 construction, and I've seen another I can't find right now that is a detail build plan for later models also notes 1989 as cut-off for use of wood. https://www.catalinadirect.com/imag...c0fae36d5-F4CB6567-A7E6-6802-4ACC0354C525F998  

capttb said: This pdf from Catalina regarding repair notes the pre 1988 construction, and I've seen another I can't find right now that is a detail build plan for later models also notes 1989 as cut-off for use of wood. https://www.catalinadirect.com/images/features/Keel Stub Wood Removal.pdf?CFID=11324753&CFTOKEN=89acc1ac0fae36d5-F4CB6567-A7E6-6802-4ACC0354C525F998 Click to expand...

We got a bigger slip with the intention of getting a C36 when we were surprised to learn my wife couldn't handle the companionway steps. She nearly lost a leg due to traumatic injury and it doesn't function very well. She doesn't have a problem with our boat. I'd look for an alternative but the market here is nuts, I've been offered $10,000 more than I paid for my boat 12 years ago. Maybe when the dust settles on this pandemic I can find a nice 355 or 375. I've had 3 boats built since the 90's, a '94 Capri 26, '94 Cat270, and now an '02 320 no major structural problems on any and I sold them for about the same as I paid for them. After new sails, upholstery, canvas, varnish, detailing etc.  

There are quite a few older C-36 out there. Looking suggested methods from Catalina to fix the plywood compression, what comes to mind and mind is a a few dozen small holes (1/4"?) A small flood of acetone to drive out the moisture, then small flood of very thin stabilizing penetrating epoxy like Smith's or git rot. I'm not opposed to hard work but I'd rather not have to go through all that which is one of the reasons I look at small trawlers but they have their own set of problems (engine repairs and costs)  

I got a call back about a c-36 MK1 1993 I believe it's the last year before the MK-II. Cast iron keel I think it would have.  

Nope, lead, Catalina uses lead keels. Brochure for '92 http://www.catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cat-36-Brochure-1992-PDF.pdf  

Catalina Yachts for sale | YachtWorld

www.yachtworld.com

Log into Facebook

www.facebook.com

just be sure that Albin 28 does not have the Peninsular diesel. If it does RUN!  

omega 36 sailboat review

Welcome back Denise! Did you know that O'day makes a nice boat too? I understand that you are looking at boats from 34 to 36 feet. You can find O'day 35s on Yachtworld with asking prices from $19.5K to $41K. You can find O'day 34s from $19.5K to $31K. Selling prices, as you know, will be less than asking.  

Thank you for the warm fuzzies! yes I had a Oday so I do know that!  

It seems the most viable of the candidates to date, remembering the prime objective of sailing more and working less. Hope your inspection goes well.  

Yes but at 28 years, it is still an old boat!  

omega 36 sailboat review

Denise, I just noticed your post regarding the Albin 28 express. I've been looking an albin myself. There was a 32 parked next to me last winter. I've been cautioned by my mechanic that the engine access is less than optimal. I have yet to get a close up look at what he's talking about. But every Albin owner t've talked to loves their boat. I intend to investigate further. Good luck with whatever you decide. BTW my slip neighbors own a 35 o'day, and as you know it's a great boat. Sails very nicely!  

The one in the picture I did not follow up on because it has a GM 6.5 diesel which are known for cracked heads and bunch of other problems. I don't know guessing the mechanic is just throwing judgments out without really looking because I did read up on the owners forum and they love them. And the so-called v drive is actually the transmission not the nightmare that most people think about V drives in the past. if it had the 300 horsepower yanmar I may have made jump! you don't have to be a financial wizard to know a 300 HP repower it's beyond most people's means! I'm still waiting to hear back on Albin 27 but the guy didn't seem to care or even to be interested.  

deniseO30 said: I went, I saw, did not expect much, and got even less! Think about this way; you walked out of the house left everything for some reason or another and then come 2 years later decide to sell, Electric heaters were still on from the winter although there were on standby they were definitely energized, no line on the furler, no water in the oil, about the only thing I could check, the sole boards were screwed down couldn't check any of the bilges. Engine wouldn't even crank, lots of towing invoices lots of bills for new batteries over the years so something's wrong electrically is my guess, I threw him a number and walked. Was and could be a beautiful boat (definitely a big boat!) But the thing hasn't been commissioned in years. He asked me if they got it commissioned would I look at it again, I said maybe, but personally I feel not likely. View attachment 139762 , Click to expand...

I could not find one crack in the gel coat anywhere which really impressed me I forgot my phenolic hammer or screwdriver to tap on it but I did some banging on it with some other stuff and my hands and feet was very solid no evidence of water getting down from the top or on the window frames I believe it was a mark 1.5 but I'm beyond caring they just let too much go and with their friend thinking he could sell it as is,  

ARRG! Pretty much decided to buy the little Albin 27 and I get a text from the broker about the Catalina 36 they had it commissiond it starts and runs they are having the bottom cleaned by a diver so my big questions now would only be on the keel bolts, Catalina smile, water intrusion of the rudder I don't know if I really want to revisit though it has the potential to be a beautiful boat and lots of living space ARRG ARRG ARRG! 😱  

omega 36 sailboat review

The answer comes down to you. The two driving questions are: 1) Realistically how often do you think that you will actually sail the boat? 2) Given your travel plans, is the nuisance of deeper draft and air draft, worth the tradeoff in fuel savings and the joys of sailing. Jeft  

Good points Jeff! it's already set up for single-handing. she is a big boat like a tiny house even (without wheels) which is what I really want Pretty sure she needs a new sails, even used, that's not cheap for a boat that size. so I'm going to think on it before I return the guy's call I'm already set to go see the little albin on Tuesday. And it's at less than half the cost of the Catalina. Thank you!  

Jeff, anyone, do you have any information on the wing keel it's a shoal draft model. I can't find a picture and measurements of the wing keel and I'm usually good at finding stuff online!  

omega 36 sailboat review

Sail data says 4.43'  

Yes thank you and that's about the kind of pictures I could only find. But no close up with actual dimensions and attachment points.  

Denise, I think by 1993 Catalina had eliminated the root cause of the smile (wood in keel sump). You definitely want to haul out and check it, but if keel nuts have been kept properly tightened, there should be no smile.  

TakeFive said: Rick, I think by 1993 Catalina had eliminated the root cause of the smile (wood in keel sump). You want to haul out and check it, but if keel nuts have been kept properly tightened, there should be no smile. Click to expand...
  • ?            
  • 175.1K members

Top Contributors this Month

omega 36 sailboat review

omega 36 sailboat review

OMEGA 36 similar search results:

BAVARIA 37 CRUISER

BAVARIA 37 CRUISER

JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 35

JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 35

BAVARIA 36-3

BAVARIA 36-3

The omega 36 shown below has been sold:.

omega 36 sailboat review

Sales information

  • De Valk Sint Annaland The Netherlands
  • +31 166 601 000
  • Call the broker

e-mail the broker

Tell a friend.

  • download brochure

Take time onboard with a live video tour

Seen a boat that piques your interest but can't make a visit in person? One of our brokers will be your eyes and ears as they take you on a video tour with their phone. You can also ask them questions about anything that isn't visually obvious. Make the call and be welcomed aboard...

Download brochure

Broker's comments.

Fast cruiser by a reputable Scandinavian yard. Omega have been building yachts for many years ranging from 28 to 46 feet. Always with an eye for performance, handling and safety, the Omega 36 has a large enough interior to accommodate the bigger family in 2+1 cabins. Totalling 5+2 berths. She is easy to handle with her fracitonal rig with aft swepped spreaders and self-tacking jib-rail. She has a large yet deep cockpit with ample seating, wheelsteering and teak. Equiped with lots of extra's like heater, fridge, autopilot, GPS, VHF, etc. certainly a yacht to consider when you want a family cruisingyacht with ample fast sailing performance.

  11,00 x 3,36 x 1,70 (m)
  grp
  1990
  1 x Volvo Penta 2003 Diesel
  28 (hp), 20,58 (kw)
  at sales office
  De Valk Sint Annaland
  sold
   

General - OMEGA 36

GRP sailingyacht Omega 36, built in 1990/91 by Omega Yachts AB, Sweden, dim.: 11.00 (lwl 9.15) x 3.36 x 1.70 mtr, headway: 18.40 mtr, design by Ron Holland, grp hull, deck and superstructure, teak in cockpit, windows/portholes in aluminium frames, roundbilged hull, fin keel, balanced spade rudder with skeg, displacement: 5,1 tonnes, ballast: 2,1 tonnes (lead), fueltank: 80 ltrs (s.s.), freshwatertank: 110 ltrs (s.s.), Edson mechanical wheelsteering (new rudderbearings), emergency tiller.

Accommodation

Classic mahogany interior, 2(+1) cabins and saloon, 5(+2) berths, dinette, headroom: 1.88 mtr, 1 x u.w.toilet, shower, Webasto HL32D diesel ducted air heating, galley; electric waterpressure system, Eno two burner gasstove with oven, Waeco 12v fridge, Vetus gasalarm.

Volvo Penta 2003 28 hp (20kW) diesel, installed in 1990, direct coolingsystem, Volvo Penta Saildrive (seal to be replaced), three bladed folding propeller, cruisingspeed approx. 7 kn, consumption approx. 3 ltr/hr, 12-220v electrical system, batteries to be renewed, shore power, Victron 12amp automatic batterycharger.

Silva pedestal compass, Silva compass near compagnionway, KVH electric compass, Autohelm ST50 log, Autohelm ST50 echosounder, Autohelm ST50 windset, Autohelm ST50 repeater at charttable, Icom IC-M80H VHF (no Atis), Simrad Wheelpilot autopilot, Furuno GP-30 GPS, Lokata Navtex receiver (printer), Sony radio/cd player.

Lifelines on deck, anchor, boarding ladder, bathing platform, lifebuoy, fenders, warps, radar reflector, fire extinguishers, cover for compagnionway, etc.

Fractional-rigged, Isomat aluminium mast, s.s.standing rigging, 5 Van Vliet (Hood agent, 1998/99) sails: main / genoa I / genoa II / High Aspect jib / spinaker, self-tacking rail for jib, slabreefing for main, cover for mainsail, tackle boomvang and backstayadjuster, 2 x Harken 42CST sheetwinches, 2 x Harken 42.2CST halyardwinches, spi-pole.

NAJAD 390

DEHLER 36 JV

MOODY 376

VICTOIRE 1044

BENETEAU OCEANIS 381

BENETEAU OCEANIS 381

CONTEST 38S

CONTEST 38S

omega 36 sailboat review

  • BOAT OF THE YEAR
  • Newsletters
  • Sailboat Reviews
  • Boating Safety
  • Sails and Rigging
  • Maintenance
  • Sailing Totem
  • Sailor & Galley
  • Living Aboard
  • Destinations
  • Gear & Electronics
  • Charter Resources

Cruising World Logo

Sailboat Review: HH Catamarans HH44

  • By Herb McCormick
  • June 26, 2024

HH44-SC Titan

There are many outstanding, even outrageous, things one can say about the HH44-SC catamaran. It’s the latest in a series of upscale boats conceived by HH CEO Paul Hakes, with structural engineering by the naval-architecture duo of Melvin & Morrelli and built in China by the Hudson Wang manufacturing conglomerate, which sold more than three dozen hulls on drawings and renderings alone, before a single boat was built. The waiting list is now about two years long.

I’m no math whiz, but with the boat’s sticker price, all up, of over $1.6 million, it’s safe to say that HH Catamarans had something like $50 million of orders on the books in advance of a sole customer actually pushing the button on an electric winch to raise the hefty, full-battened mainsail. Which leads to a pretty simple question: Who are those guys?

In an interview I conducted with Morrelli several years ago, he spoke about the sort of buyer drawn to the HH brand: “It’s unbelievable to me the percentage of newbie owners we attract to HH. More than 50 percent are first-time boat owners, guys who are buying $2 million and $3 million boats. I find that a bit shocking, but they were successful at something at some point in their life, and they’re trying to roll that success and confidence into something else.”

Allow me to take that one step ­further, because I’ve met a few HH owners, and I believe that the boat is catnip to a certain type of tech-savvy consumer. They definitely find the boat’s clean lines and tantalizing performance sleek and sexy, but they also are passionately drawn to the forward-thinking technology itself. I’ve heard folks refer to certain products in the marine sector as something Elon Musk might’ve dreamed up, but the HH44 may in fact be the closest thing there is to a Tesla of sailboats. I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that more than a few HH owners have one of those parked in their driveway. 

What, exactly, are those folks getting for their seven figures? There are two versions of the boat: the HH44-OC (Ocean Cruising), a dedicated bluewater cruising cat with mini keels instead of daggerboards; and the HH44-SC (Sports Cruising), a no-holds-barred rocket ship with C-shaped carbon boards, a solar array, and the company’s EcoDrive auxiliary propulsion package, which we’ll delve into shortly. The SC is the model we tested for the 2024 Boat of the Year contest. Spoiler alert: We were fairly blown away by the boat, and honored it with a Judges Special Recognition Award . Our sister publication, the performance-oriented Sailing World , named it overall Boat of the Year and described it as “the performance sailor’s retirement race boat.”

HH44-SC catamaran

Aesthetically, in theme and execution, the HH44-SC presents a futuristic appearance. There’s a fixed bowsprit forward; ample freeboard in the relatively narrow hulls (at least compared with your average cruising cat from mainstream builders); a slash of integrated hull windows that offer natural light in the staterooms and double as a nice visual accent; a pair of drop-down swim platforms in the transoms; and a set of dinghy davits in between. The coachroof extends well aft and doubles as a hardtop Bimini over the cockpit, while serving as the base for the traveler and mainsheet arrangement, and as the base for more than 4,000 watts of mounted solar panels. 

Quick aside: The hulls are painted, and I reckon that more than a few owners will go with colors not usually found in genteel yacht surroundings. Our test boat, Titan , the first HH44-SC off the line, is bound for the Caribbean with a magnificent bright-red exterior. The intent is clear: You can go garishly or go home.  

Forward-facing windows in the main cabin can be opened to allow the fresh breeze to course through. M&M employed forward cockpits for steering and sailhandling in many of their previous designs, but eschewed that layout here. Instead, there’s a set of Jefa helm stations well aft that can rotate outboard for increased visibility when driving upwind, or that can be tilted inboard under the Bimini top in inclement conditions or to access line handling by gaining proximity to the winches. It’s a versatile, well-reasoned solution that I like a lot. I wish more cats were laid out similarly. 

Below, a dedicated en suite owner’s stateroom runs the length of the starboard hull. A pair of double-berth staterooms to port share a central head and shower. 

So, that serves as the basic overview of the 44-footer. But what about the ­technology? The big stories there are the propulsion and construction.

The most eye-opening feature is the hybrid auxiliary setup. Boat of the Year judge Tim Murphy is the educational director for the American Boat and Yacht Council and our go-to expert for all technical matters. Here’s his take on the system developed by UK firm Hybrid Marine: “It had the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion we’ve seen in the contest, starting with their parallel hybrid drive, a system unlike any we’ve inspected on any boat before this one.” 

Electric motors are built onto the back of the twin 30 hp Beta Marine diesels (or optional Yanmar 40 hp engines) with a coupling to the transmission. The electric motors can effectively be used as a pair of 5 kW generators to charge the battery bank. Adding regeneration while sailing provides up to 2 kW per shaft at 10 knots of boatspeed. An additional 43 kWh of energy is produced by the solar array on the cabin top.

HH44-SC rear

What this translates to is silent ­operation under power in full electric mode, augmented by hydrogeneration to top off batteries while sailing, with the good old-fashioned reliability of those diesel engines as a backup, or for motoring through high pressure on passages. 

It’s a boat that covers a lot of bases, though Murphy is also quick to note that it will be interesting to see how all this translates to real-world operations, given that it’s new tech. He wouldn’t be ­surprised if, at the outset, there are ­growing pains bringing it all online (though company representatives note that the system has been used in European canal boats for more than 10 years). 

HH president Seth Hynes says: “At full battery capacity, you can run the boat at full throttle using the two 10-kilowatt electric motors and get 7 knots of boatspeed for approximately two hours. In light air, you can even keep your leeward electric motor running to build yourself some apparent wind.”

Murphy is also impressed with the build quality: “It’s thermal-foam construction with panels of Corecell foam core that’s heated up to make the complex shapes of the hull with no slits or kerfs in between. So you’re using those flat sheets to construct complex curves, and then you’re using the best resin ­available—which is epoxy—in the laminate, which also employs carbon cloth. This is infused epoxy construction, post-cured after that fact, so they are very, very high-quality hulls.” 

Carbon reinforcements are also used in high-load areas such as the wing deck, coachroof and daggerboard trunks. The Marstrom rig on the HH44-SC is all carbon (the OC version has a standard aluminum mast with the option to upgrade). 

At the end of the day, the reason one is attracted to a light, fast cat is pretty simple: performance. HH has been well-represented in previous Boat of the Year competitions, with its HH66, HH55 and HH50 all previous nominees (the latter two won awards in 2018 and 2021, respectively). To be honest, I’ve always been startled by the fact that many of these cats have gone to first-time boat owners with varying degrees of experience. I’ve been sailing for decades, and I’d be fairly intimidated to head offshore with a shorthanded crew on the larger HH cats, which are not simple vessels, but rather extremely powerful boats where things can escalate quickly if the first domino falls. 

One doesn’t need to be Superman, however, to sail the scaled-down HH44. Our test boat arrived in Annapolis, Maryland, with only a set of basic ­working sails (main, self-tacking ­staysail), so we didn’t get the full-on, off-wind power-reaching sleigh ride that is essentially the boat’s reason for being, but the sailing was still fast and sprightly. (A hat tip to the HH commissioning team, who had the boat sailing just two days after it was offloaded from a freighter in New Jersey.) Closehauled, with the deep, nearly 10-foot boards deployed, the boat tracked like a train and quite easily flirted with 10 knots of boatspeed. I can only imagine what it would be like to set a kite, then turn and burn, but it’s safe to say that you’ll regularly be registering double-digit boatspeeds. HH reps say that our test boat hit 23 knots on the delivery south to the Caribbean. 

All in all, the HH44-SC is quite a machine to behold. The story of ­production-boat building, starting way back in the 1960s, has been an ongoing evolution—piece by piece, boat by boat. Now this very cool cat has penned its own chapter. There’s really nothing else like it.

Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

The “HH” in HH Catamarans represents the initials of Chinese businessman and ­manufacturer Hudson Wang, who founded the company, and CEO Paul Hakes, a New Zealand boatbuilder who joined forces with Wang in 2012 to launch the brand. There are currently eight models in the HH lineup, ranging in size from 44 feet to 88 feet, including the HH50, which was named the Best Luxury Cruiser in the 2021 Boat of the Year contest . The HH Catamarans design team of Melvin & Morrelli is well-known for their America’s Cup contenders, maxi offshore cats such as the 125-foot PlayStation , the pioneering Gunboat cruising cats, and the current line of Rapido performance trimarans. 

  • More: catamaran , hh catamarans , performance cruiser , Print July 2024 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
  • More Sailboats

Astus trimaran

Sailboat Preview: 2 Sportboats We Love

Windelo 50 on the water

Sailboat Preview: Windelo 50 Yachting

Linjett 36 rendering

Sailboat Preview: Linjett 36

Windelo 54 on the water

Windelo 54 Named Multihull of the Year

Outdoor furniture

For Yachts or Home, Teak Stands the Test of Time

Shaft wear pattern

Shaft Bearing Maintenance Tips

Astus trimaran

  • Digital Edition
  • Customer Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Email Newsletters
  • Cruising World
  • Sailing World
  • Salt Water Sportsman
  • Sport Fishing
  • Wakeboarding

Review of Omega 30

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar 2GM20 diesel engine.

The fuel tank which is made of stainless steel has a capacity of 25 liters (6 US gallons, 5 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Omega 30 is 2.01, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.9 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Omega 30 is about 160 kg/cm, alternatively 900 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 160 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 900 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is Displacement Length Ratio?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

What is Relative Speed Performance?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

UsageLengthDiameter
Mainsail halyard 30.1 m(98.6 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Jib/genoa halyard30.1 m(98.6 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Spinnaker halyard30.1 m(98.6 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Jib sheet 9.4 m(30.8 feet)12 mm(1/2 inch)
Genoa sheet9.4 m(30.8 feet)12 mm(1/2 inch)
Mainsheet 23.5 m(77.1 feet)12 mm(1/2 inch)
Spinnaker sheet20.7 m(67.8 feet)12 mm(1/2 inch)
Cunningham4.2 m(13.6 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Kickingstrap8.3 m(27.2 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)
Clew-outhaul8.3 m(27.2 feet)10 mm(3/8 inch)

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Omega 30 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

  • Latest activity

River Daves Place

  • Search forums
  • No Wake Zone
  • RD's Lounge

Omega Boats - quality? Problems? Rumors?

  • Thread starter JB in so cal
  • Start date Mar 13, 2021
  • Mar 13, 2021

JB in so cal

JB in so cal

Well-known member.

Early 2000 build. 23'  

colenighthawk

colenighthawk

Is dat even a boat, Omega? Is that homemade?  

Thus the thread.  

JUSTWANNARACE

I will not let them take me🤣🤣.

My buddy has a 70s Omega jet boat, same hull as the Hawaiian of that era! They where a good hull back then except they used Panther Pumps!  

20200626_185647.jpg

JB in so cal said: Early 2000 build. 23' Click to expand...

boatpi

Made in Anaheim I believe.  

Taboma

Water Romper

1615645167580.png

They were a two-stringer boat at one time, like the Dana’s of the same era. Not sure if it was the case during their entire production but worth inquiring about.  

Water Romper said: View attachment 981445 I don't know much about Omega's, have seen a few over the years, but on another note, you guys eat well, is that a pizza buffet on the bow?? Click to expand...

🤣

Forest Pittard owned Omega boats. One of my old salesman worked at Omega. I will just tell you this. You get what you pay for.  

FlyByWire

I just work here

namba860 said: Forest Pittard owned Omega boats. One of my old salesman worked at Omega. I will just tell you this. You get what you pay for. Click to expand...

2Driver

JUSTWANNARACE said: Omega View attachment 981418 View attachment 981419 Hawaiian View attachment 981420 I know that doesnt answer your question but, yes they are real boats, not home made! Click to expand...
2Driver said: I may have asked a while back but what lake is this, where. Looks great. Click to expand...

dribble

I was at Omega in 1999 while hitting a number of builders. Their price was good and I got to see how they were laid up and rigged. I bought something else.  

old rigger

Back in the day Omega came out with the first production open bow hull, a low profile 21. It shared the bottom with the mini cruiser posted above with the pizza on the deck. Omega was an average builder back then comparable to the bulk of boats being pumped out the 70s. Anyway I was at Hawaiian at the time and the owners sent someone to purchase the then brand new open bow. Before then the only open bows were tri hulls or conversions from a hard deck. The new Omega arrives at the shop ( I think we were in the old Tahiti building in Bellflower when this happened, not the building in Huntington Beach) and everyone is checking it out and then the interior shop guys took all the interior out, copied the frames for patterns and then installed new interior. Someone else switched the Omega emblems for Hawaiians and a short time later we have it in the L.A. boat show and its selling like hot cakes. We debuted it at the exact moment in time that Omega did but we didnt even have a set of molds yet. lol My dad and I went partners on one, had it until he passed in '99. Nice little hull that doesn't really like rough water. I didn't know Omega survived the crash in '80. In fact I'm almost 100% they closed their doors then. Forrest must have kept the name and fired back up in the 90s?  

Music to my Ears

Music to my Ears

Conducting beautiful music.

Forrest/Omega built me a 21 in the later 90's. If memory serves me correct, Ultra was laying up his hulls at the time. The hull was very nice, the rigging was fair.  

riverroyal

Consider resale. Skip  

old rigger said: Back in the day Omega came out with the first production open bow hull, a low profile 21. It shared the bottom with the mini cruiser posted above with the pizza on the deck. Omega was an average builder back then comparable to the bulk of boats being pumped out the 70s. Anyway I was at Hawaiian at the time and the owners sent someone to purchase the then brand new open bow. Before then the only open bows were tri hulls or conversions from a hard deck. The new Omega arrives at the shop ( I think we were in the old Tahiti building in Bellflower when this happened, not the building in Huntington Beach) and everyone is checking it out and then the interior shop guys took all the interior out, copied the frames for patterns and then installed new interior. Someone else switched the Omega emblems for Hawaiians and a short time later we have it in the L.A. boat show and its selling like hot cakes. We debuted it at the exact moment in time that Omega did but we didnt even have a set of molds yet. lol My dad and I went partners on one, had it until he passed in '99. Nice little hull that doesn't really like rough water. I didn't know Omega survived the crash in '80. In fact I'm almost 100% they closed their doors then. Forrest must have kept the name and fired back up in the 90s? Click to expand...
JUSTWANNARACE said: So on the mini cruisers I posted above who splashed who? Hawaiian or Omega? Click to expand...
old rigger said: Don't remember who tooled it up, might have been Tahiti? Hawaiian was really just Tahiti pt II, same owners and a lot of the same employees. That was a pretty popular hull and several builders offered it. There was a 19 and a 21 of that design. Click to expand...

mash on it

Beyond Hell Crew

JUSTWANNARACE said: My buddy has a 70s Omega jet boat, same hull as the Hawaiian of that era! They where a good hull back then except they used Panther Pumps! Click to expand...

👍

namba860 said: The boat was called a Sunstreaker and might have been copied more the the 20 Spectra. I could name almost a dozen that used that hull. I don’t care for it. It’s to low profile. The closed bow looks better then the open bow in my opinion. Click to expand...

Jay Dub

aberrant member

1615670546783.jpeg

Willie B said: ... Had a 20‘6“ ...1975 Omega Daycruiser 455 Olds with a Jacuzzi jet... it was a boat my sister had... I drove from California to Georgia to pick it up ...when I got it back to California... I stepped on the floor it was like stepping on a sponge so I ripped out the floor and could not believe what I saw it was a three stringer hull but the center stringer only had fiberglass roving draped over the center stringer...Really didn’t appear to offer much of any structural support... Nice looking boat but???...yikes...I couldn’t believe a manufacturer would turn out something so poorly thrown together???...Dunno???... ...Unfortunately where are you see the boat sitting at my lake Oroville property that is where it met its demise in September when the fire roard through there... View attachment 981531 View attachment 981532 View attachment 981533 View attachment 981534 View attachment 981535 Click to expand...

Riverhound

  • Mar 14, 2021
Riverhound said: Bought a 76 21 Tahiti in the early 90's and ran that thing to death on the lower river. Did a complete resto on it and used it for another 10 years before I upgraded. Great little boat and was built like a tank. View attachment 981583 View attachment 981584 View attachment 981587 View attachment 981588 Click to expand...

I think omega is out of the question from what i just saw  

old rigger said: That's terrible. About that center stringer, it's not really a stringer but just a support to hold the floor up. That's it's only purpose life and pretty much the standard of the industry back when short stringer layups were the rage. Click to expand...
Willie B said: ...It’s all coming back to me now that center floor support was in truth about 3/4 of an inch to an inch lower than the stringers ...that’s why I assumed it was a poor job of putting a third stringer in... I remember a friend saying maybe that is just for floor support which is when I put a straight edge across the stringers and the floor support was quite a bit lower than the stringers???...(Maybe lol)... Click to expand...
old rigger said: that's just shitty workmanship. The only job that center 'stringer' has is to hold the floor up, having it 3/4 below the top of the stringers is pretty funny actually. Nice little dip in the floor to retain water. Click to expand...
  • Mar 15, 2021
old rigger said: That 20 was being tooled up as some of us left Tahiti with Schuster to go to Hawaiian. I think it’s one of the best looking hulls of the 70s as far as a family boat. We had that model at Advantage too. Click to expand...

🤷🏼‍♂️

  • Mar 20, 2021

Shrub Lurker

Shrub Lurker

I wound up with one of these hunks last year. I cut it up and sold the engine, interior and trailer. Think I still have the name plates if anyone on here is dying for them. PM me  

Which Sailboat?

Catalina (Capri) 14.2 Review

Catalina 14.2 Specifications, Deck Layout, and Sail Plan

The Catalina Capri 14.2, known later as simply the Catalina 14.2, is an excellent sport sailboat and day sailer oriented toward family and youth use.  The boat was designed by Ted Carpentier and Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts .  Catalina derived the boat from the Omega 14 produced by Frank Butler’s Coronado Yachts prior to the formation of Catalina Yachts.  After the formation of Catalina Yachts, the Omega 14 design was modified by adding a foredeck and a cuddy beneath the foredeck to create the Capri 14.2.  Since 1983, over 5,200 Catalina 14.2s have been built.   Production continues .

While Catalina 14.2s are frequently used for family cruising, the boat can provide an exhilarating sailing experience due to its semi-planing hull and clearly sporting sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 36.  As a family sport boat and day sailer, the Catalina 14.2 is primarily composed of a large cockpit that easily holds 4 adults.  One owner reports sailing inland lakes and bays of the Outer Banks in the eastern U.S. with his wife and 3 children aboard, and with the cuddy and areas beneath the cockpit seats laden with camping supplies.  Forward of the dominant cockpit, a large cuddy cabin provides storage for day sail, picnic and camping supplies, batteries, and emergency equipment.  As expected for a sport boat or day sailer of this size, the cuddy provides no berths, head, or galley.  (If berths, galley, or head are important to you, consider the Catalina 22 , which is also easily trailered.)

Catalina 14.2 Class Racing, Courtesy Arizona Yacht Club

The Catalina 14.2 benefits from its large production volume, long production run, that its manufacturer is still in business, and a plethora of parts continue to be available from the manufacturer and  Catalina Direct .  Active Catalina 14.2 class racing fleets and events exist but are limited compared to some other small sailboats such as Flying Scots, Moths, and Lasers.  Presumably, this is because of the boat’s intended purpose and reputation as a family sport boat and day sailer, rather than a class racing boat.

INDENTIFYING VARIOUS CATALINA 14.2 MODELS

Three models of the Catalina 14.2 have been produced since 1983.  The different models are popularly deemed “Mod 1”, “Mod 2”, and “Mod 3”.  The Mod 1 models have a single open space below decks and came from the factory with a marine plywood hatch to enclose the cuddy and the rest of the space.  The Mod 2 models, introduced around 1990, had a fiberglass box glued inside the entrance of the cuddy, which while preventing water intrusion into the cuddy and the rest of the hull in the event of a capsize, also made the potential storage space in the cuddy inaccessible and made maintenance of the inside of the hull more difficult.  Mod 2 models had a canvas covering over the hatch to hide the box.  Six years later in 1996, Catalina introduced the Mod 3, which removed the fiberglass box and included a water-tight bulkhead at the aft end of the cuddy, making for three nearly water tight areas in the hull, including the cuddy with the hatch installed and a space under each cockpit seat.  Mod 3 boats were delivered with a more durable and watertight plastic hatch for the cuddy.  Also on the Mod 3 boats, the wooden splash guards at the aft end of the deck where removed and instead the deck was simply rounded up from the forward end of the cockpit coamings.

Catalina 14.2 Specifications, Deck Layout, and Sail Plan

The Catalina 14.2 hull is solid hand-laid fiberglass.  The deck is also solid fiberglass laminate with a molded-in non-skid pattern.  The deck is attached to the hull in Catalina’s standard shoebox design.  Unlike larger Catalina boats intended for more rigorous sea conditions, on Mod 1 and Mod 2 models the deck is fastened to the hull only with chemical bonding – there are no mechanical fasteners.  On Mod 3 boats, Catalina also through-bolted the hull-to-deck joint.  Older Catalina 14.2s may suffer damage of the hull-to-deck joint so that the water-tightness of the joint is compromised.  After suffering such damage, many owners strengthen the joint with mechanical fasteners with relative ease, as the joint is easily accessible at the gunwale.

Due to the design of the Catalina 14.2’s gunwale and exposed hull-to-deck joint, installation of a rub rail can serve to protect the hull-to-deck joint from damage.   Installation is straightforward.  Several rub rails from Taco Metals in Miami, Florida work well, particularly this white flexible vinyl model with white flexible vinyl insert .

The hull is stiffened with several plywood stringers beneath the cockpit, which also support the cockpit sole, reducing flex under foot.  The seats normally flex under foot, which while initially unsettling, provides for a more comfortable ride.  Due to the more rounded and thus stronger foredeck and the additional bulkhead at the aft end of the cuddy, Mod 3 boats are stiffer than Mod 1 and Mod 2 boats.

While wood stringers could be cause for alarm, few Catalina 14.2s see enough water left in the hull to cause rot.  If rot is discovered, replacing the stringers can be difficult due to tight working conditions inside the hull.  A few owners with rotted stringers reported solving the problem by knocking out the old wood and pouring water-resistant closed-cell expandable foam under the cockpit sole and seats.  Depending on the density of the foam selected, positive buoyancy is an additional benefit of such a repair.  Water-resistant closed-cell foam is crucial for this application.  The  TotalBoat Liquid Urethane Foam Kit, 6 Lb Density, Closed Cell for Flotation & Reinforcement works well for this application, providing both structural strength and positive buoyancy.

Catalina 14.2 Capsized, Hobie Baby Bob Prevents Turtling

As delivered from the factory, the Catalina 14.2 lacks positive buoyancy materials in the hull.  If the hull is allowed to fill with water, the boat will sink.  On Mod 1 and Mod 3 boats, securing the cuddy hatch board fast whenever underway is paramount.

Catalina fitted foam plugs in the end of the mast on later boats, intended to provide some buoyancy in the mast to prevent turtling if capsized.  However, the relatively broad beam of the boat limits the effectiveness of this design because most of the mast remains out of the water unless turtled.  Many owners fit Hobie Baby Bob flotation bulbs (available on Amazon) to the top of their masts so that if the boat is knocked down, the boat does not turtle.

KEEL CONFIGURATIONS AND RUDDER

The vast majority of Catalina 14.2s were delivered with a pivoting centerboard that kicks up if grounded.  The centerboard is held in place when down by a shock cord that is connected from the aft end of the top of the centerboard to the transom at the end of the cockpit.  The rudder also kicks up.  Earlier boats have a solid wood centerboard while later boats have a foam-cored fiberglass centerboard.   Rudders are wood or foam-cored encapsulated in fiberglass.   Solid HDPE rudders are available from Catalina Direct.   A medium-aspect fixed keel was also offered that added 200 lbs of ballast to the boat, which makes her slower but more stable, closer to an older-style traditional day sailer.  Catalina named the boats with the fixed keel the Catalina 14.2 K.

As a semi-planing boat displacing little water, the centerboard model requires no centerboard trunk.  The centerboard simply slides through a slot with only a few inches separating the floor of the cockpit from the water below.  With enough speed, water can spray up through this slot into the cockpit.  Catalina Direct offers a  canvas gasket  to surround the centerboard in the slot, which prevents this spray.

The Catalina 14.2 is rigged a as a fractional sloop with a self-tacking jib.  The mast is anodized aluminum and supported by a stainless steel headstay and single set of swept-back anodized aluminum spreaders with stainless steel shrouds.  The shrouds include adjustable brackets rather than turnbuckles that make rig adjustments quick if not entirely precise.  However, the headstay includes a turnbuckle which can be used to achieve precise rig tuning.  There is no backstay, which makes un-stepping the mast easier and frees up the cockpit under sail.  The rig is very light-weight so that one person can ease the mast down when un-stepping and push it up when stepping, although another person is handy to guide the mast with the forestay.  All other rigging hardware is stainless steel.  In 2012, Catalina changed to a Selden made rig.  From the factory, the boom has no uphaul so that when the mainsail is dropped, the boom falls into the cockpit.  Some owners install an uphaul, rigid boom vang, or boom kicker to prevent this.

As appropriate with a family sport boat or day sailer, all control lines are easily accessible from the cockpit.  The mainsheet is managed from a stout spring-mounted pivoting block and jam cleat in the center of the cockpit.  Jib sheets are managed from jam cleats on the side decks.  The side decks also include a jib car track and cars that allow precise adjustment of jib sheeting angle.  With sails of this size, no winches are necessary.

Catalina 14.2 Cockpit and Deck

The cockpit of the Catalina 14.2 offers good sole depth, seat width, and coaming height for relative comfort in a sport oriented boat.  The coaming height and side deck height may be considered low for some less interested in an exciting sail, or more accustomed to day sails in a Flying Scot or a more traditional day sailer design.  The cockpit seats are long enough to sleep upon.  The relatively small surface area of the cockpit sole, cockpit seats, side decks, and forward deck are small enough to prevent much flex.

Forward of the cockpit above the cuddy is a solid deck which is handy when dealing with the jib although feels less than secure in rough water.  The side decks are reasonably wide as well.

The only brightwork on the Catalina 14.2 comprised splash guards installed at the front of the cockpit and above the hatch to the cuddy, only on Mod 1 and Mod 2 boats.  These boards are easily removed for complete refinishing if necessary.  Mod 3 boats had this brightwork eliminated.

Catalina 14.2 Exciting Sail, Courtesy Vincent Malo

The Catalina 14.2 can be a very exciting boat to sail.  Hiking straps were installed throughout the cockpit from the factory.  With its semi-planing hull, the boat achieves speeds great in excess of a displacement hull sailing boat.  Its relatively deep centerboard and rudder provide excellent grip for pointing to windward.  Riding close to the water, the boat’s occupants easily sense the speed at which they glide over the water.  Due to its semi-planing hull and small size (and like most small sailboats), the Catalina 14.2’s pointing ability suffers immensely with blown out or otherwise worn out sails.

AUXILIARY POWER

Catalina 14.2 Outboard Bracket

The Catalina 14.2 did not come from the factory with any auxiliary propulsion, but an outboard motor mount was an option.  Many owners use rowing paddles for auxiliary propulsion, but due to the beam of the boat and the orientation of the side decks, paddles are difficult to use.  Many owners install small outboards, 1-3 h.p. are more than adequate for propelling the boat.

Electric trolling motors are a popular choice for auxiliary propulsion with a battery installed at the aft end of the cockpit against the transom or in the cuddy.  Either way, the battery should be installed in a watertight battery box secured in place with mounting hardware.  Due to the easily-driven semi-planing hull, electric trolling motors are an effective means for auxiliary propulsion, with only the smallest 30 thrust-lbs models necessary for adequate propulsion.  For owners interested in sailing into a headwind off a beach or against a tide, auxiliary propulsion is paramount.

Catalina 14.2 On Trailer

The Catalina 14.2 is easy to trailer with nearly any vehicle due to its light weight of 340 lbs.  Due to its light weight, trailers require only a single axle.  The relatively flat bottom and retractable centerboard make trailers intended for power boats work as an effective trailer.  Trailering is easy due to the boat’s simple rig – only the forestay must be disconnected to unstep the mast.

In addition to an excellent family sport boat and day sailer, the Catalina 14.2 also makes an interesting tender for the right liveaboard or cruiser.  With its weight of 340 lbs, the boat can be rigged for davits or simply towed if the sailor is not against towing a dinghy.  Despite being a semi-planing boat and having an open slot for the centerboard in the cockpit sole, the Catalina 14.2 with its wide flat bottom has more initial stability than most tenders and can be well laden with crew and supplies without shipping water through the slot.  However as the boat is laden, its ability to point to windward suffers greatly.  The same owner who reports sailing with his family, children, and camping supplies, also reports being unable to point better than a beam reach without auxiliary power as the boat was so overladen.  With a larger electric trolling motor, large battery installed, and combined with a solar panel for charging the battery, the Catalina 14.2 can power through adverse currents with excellent if not unlimited range.

Catalina 14.2 With Full Crew

Due to the excellent build quality and simplicity of the Catalina 14.2, the ready availability of spare parts, and that the manufacturer is still in business producing new Catalina 14.2s, resale values of the Catalina 14.2 remain high.  New boats sell for over $6,000.  Nevertheless, neglected Catalina 14.2s can be had on the used boat market at a steep discount, making the boat a potentially excellent value on the used market.  Prices vary widely between $1,500 and $4,500,  depending on the year of the boat, installed accessories like motors, condition of the sails, hull condition, the condition of the trailer if included with the boat.  Neglected boats can be made ship shape for a modicum of investment compared with larger boats and typical tenders.  At the time of writing, only two Catalina 14.2s are available on Yachtworld.com , but many making good options are available on Craigslist.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Used Catalina Capri 14.2s for Sale on Craigslist Nationwide

Catalina 14.2 Brochure

CATALINA 14.2 UNDER SAIL, TACKING

CATALINA 14.2 RIGGING GUIDE

CATALINA 14.2 CLASS RACING

Share this:

2 thoughts on “ catalina (capri) 14.2 review ”.

  • Pingback: 1988 Catalina Capri 14.2 sailboat for sale in Virginia | Boats & Yachts For Sale | Used Boats and New Boats For Sale

Great article – thanks! I believe I have heard that the Capri 14.2 Mod 1 had a hollow transom and that the transom was reinforced (made solid) on a later mod (2 or 3). Which mod was this, and do you know the specs of how much thrust or weight each mod can handle?

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Blog at WordPress.com.

' src=

  • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
  • Copy shortlink
  • Report this content
  • View post in Reader
  • Manage subscriptions
  • Collapse this bar
  • Leaderboards
  • Media New media New comments Search media

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Watch Out for Scammers!

We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Site Updates Coming Soon - We're Updating The Homepage!

We've got some exciting changes coming, check the thread below for more info!

Suppressors   Silencerco Omega 36M

  • Thread starter KamronG7
  • Start date Feb 8, 2020
  • The Hide Armory

Sergeant of the Hide

  • Feb 8, 2020

Has anyone had the chance to put some rounds through Silencerco’s new Omega 36M? I’m currently running an Omega 300. Does anyone have some first hand experience running both the Omega and 36M side by side? Just wondering how they compare. Thank You  

  • Sep 2, 2020
KamronG7 said: Has anyone had the chance to put some rounds through Silencerco’s new Omega 36M? I’m currently running an Omega 300. Does anyone have some first hand experience running both the Omega and 36M side by side? Just wondering how they compare. Thank You Click to expand...

COprecisionhunter

COprecisionhunter

  • Nov 25, 2020

Hoping someone will chime in with experience with this can.  

I got my 36m (first can) a month ago. I've shot it a ton in my basement on everything from my m1d match rifle loaded with 230gr subs to multiple 9mm platforms and a .260. I know this isn't a comparison like OP wanted but this can is amazing. Most subsonic stuff sounds like a nail gun to me (maybe even a little quieter). The versatility is my favorite thing about it. I can't wait to put it on my rossi 92 in .357.  

  • Nov 26, 2020
wb00757 said: I got my 36m (first can) a month ago. I've shot it a ton in my basement on everything from my m1d match rifle loaded with 230gr subs to multiple 9mm platforms and a .260. I know this isn't a comparison like OP wanted but this can is amazing. Most subsonic stuff sounds like a nail gun to me (maybe even a little quieter). The versatility is my favorite thing about it. I can't wait to put it on my rossi 92 in .357. Click to expand...

Not really. All I have bought so far is the booster housing and a shit ton of asr brakes. The SiCo stuff seems to sell out pretty quick but they are good about getting stock out.  

wb00757 said: Not really. All I have bought so far is the booster housing and a shit ton of asr brakes. The SiCo stuff seems to sell out pretty quick but they are good about getting stock out. Click to expand...

Similar threads

  • May 25, 2024
  • Apr 12, 2024
  • AZ_Artilleryman
  • Aug 8, 2023
  • Nov 19, 2023
  • Feb 4, 2024
  • Semi-Automatic Rifles
  • The Sniper's Hide App is here! Download the app DOWNLOAD

COMMENTS

  1. OMEGA 36

    It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5

  2. Review of Omega 36

    The l/b ratio for Omega 36 is 3.27. Wide Slim 58% 0 50 100. Compared with other similar sailboats it is slimmer than 58% of all other designs. It seems that the designer has chosen a slightly more speedy hull design.

  3. Omega 36

    Omega 36 is a 36′ 1″ / 11 m monohull sailboat designed by Ron Holland and built by Family Boats (SWE) between 1985 and 1991. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL ...

  4. Omega 36

    The interior of the Omega 36 is a pleasant surprise on a performance racer/cruiser of the 80's. Beautiful woodwork, functional layout and attention to detail make her comfortable and appealing. The forward stateroom features an ample double V berth and storage in teak lockers and drawers.

  5. Omega 36: Top design from a top designer

    Home Yachts Cruising yachts. Omega 36: Top design from a top designer. Michael Naujok. , Hauke Schmidt. · 02.11.2012. Photo: Yacht / M. Naujok. Used boat from Sweden. The Omega from the 1980s offers attractive lines, good sailing characteristics and sufficient living space. The used boat test as a PDF download.

  6. The Best Sailboats for the High Seas?

    Here are some of the boats that were suggested from our readers: Mariner 36, Cal 34, Morgan 43, Swan 43, Bermuda 40, Island Packet 26, Mariner 47, LeComte Northeast 38, Westsail 32, Dana 24, J/35, and the CSY 44. Id be interested in hearing of other nominees for this list, or other good resources for sailors looking for a short list of good ...

  7. OMEGA 36: Reviews, Specifications, Built, Engine

    1 of 2. If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of OMEGA 36. Built by undefined and designed by Ron Holland, the boat was first built in 1985. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 11. Its sail area/displacement ratio 21.37.

  8. Omega 36

    The Omega 36 is a 36.09ft fractional sloop designed by Ron Holland and built in fiberglass between 1985 and 1991. 210 units have been built. The Omega 36 is a light sailboat which is a high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a fast cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally small.

  9. Should I even consider a c-36 MK1?

    The Cat 36 (and the very similar 34) were made for a lot of years. Also lots of variations - keels, regular and tall rig, Mk 1, 1.5, 2, etc. The Cat 36 Mk 1 was built into the 90s so I am sure lots of changes over it's long run. Owners association is probably the best source for specific info. S/V First Tracks.

  10. OMEGA 36 sailing yacht for sale

    Fast cruiser by a reputable Scandinavian yard. Omega have been building yachts for many years ranging from 28 to 46 feet. Always with an eye for performance, handling and safety, the Omega 36 has a large enough interior to accommodate the bigger family in 2+1 cabins. Totalling 5+2 berths.

  11. Sailboat Review: HH Catamarans HH44

    HH reps say that our test boat hit 23 knots on the delivery south to the Caribbean. All in all, the HH44-SC is quite a machine to behold. The story of ­production-boat building, starting way back in the 1960s, has been an ongoing evolution—piece by piece, boat by boat. Now this very cool cat has penned its own chapter.

  12. Yachts Omega 36 for sale

    Buy yachts Omega 36. DailyBoats.com lists yachts Omega 36 for sale , with prices ranging from $44,631 for the more basic models to $73,673 for the most expensive. These yachts come in various sizes, ranging from 35.99 ft to 36.09 ft, with the oldest yacht built in 1984. This page features Omega boats located in Sweden, Denmark and United ...

  13. Review of Omega 30

    The DL-ratio for Omega 30 is 185 which categorizes this boat among 'light racers'. Heavy Light 79% 0 50 100. 79% of all similar sailboat designs are categorized as heavier. A light displacement requires less sailarea and has higher accellerations.

  14. Omega Boats

    2,685. Reaction score. 6,732. Back in the day Omega came out with the first production open bow hull, a low profile 21. It shared the bottom with the mini cruiser posted above with the pizza on the deck. Omega was an average builder back then comparable to the bulk of boats being pumped out the 70s.

  15. Omega Omega 36 boats for sale

    1994 Omega Omega 36. US$86,493. BROK & GO | La Rochelle, 17 - Charente-Maritime. Request Info. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of ...

  16. Islander 36: A Cruising Sailboat for All Time

    Specifications: Length: 36'0" • Beam: 11'2" • Draft: 6'/4'9" • Displacement: 13,450 lbs • Sail Area: 612 sq ft • Fuel/Water: 30/50 gal. You can browse our full range of available Sailboats for sale today on YachtWorld from popular manufacturers including Beneteau, Jeanneau, as well as Islander. Previous Article.

  17. Catalina (Capri) 14.2 Review

    Catalina 22 Review. The Catalina Capri 14.2, known later as simply the Catalina 14.2, is an excellent sport sailboat and day sailer oriented toward family and youth use. The boat was designed by Ted Carpentier and Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts. Catalina derived the boat from the Omega 14 produced by Frank Butler's Coronado Yachts prior to the….

  18. Beneteau First 36: The Top 10 Best Boats Review

    The new Beneteau First 36 that debuted at Annapolis last fall checks all these boxes, and more. Enough that we here at SAIL happily anointed it one of our 2023 Top 10 Best Boats winners. This is a remarkably versatile craft. For a mass-production boat, it is quite light but also very strong, with a purely race-boat-quality build regimen.

  19. Omega boats for sale

    The selection of models featured on YachtWorld spans a spectrum of sizes and lengths, encompassing vessels measuring from 27 feet to 36 feet. Type of yachts by Omega This builder offers boat hull types including deep vee and monohull that are frequently used for traditional, time-honored endeavors such as a variety of commercial and ...

  20. Suppressors

    Sniper's Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Sniper's Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. Forum Statistics. Threads. 477,735.

  21. Reviews on silencerco omega 36m : r/NFA

    If you just want something to reduce the noise, and fit on as many guns smaller than 9mm as possible, Omega 36m is a great option. I run mine on my 5.56 rifles, and my 9mm PCC, and will be on my 7.62 rifles soon. I like the performance a lot. I did find it noticeably better than a Sandman the other week at the range.