August 19Aug 19 1 hour ago, PittsburghTiger said: You and me both! Amusing anecdote about that little runabout: One fine summer mid morning I had a date with my gf (see pic) to take her waterskiing on Lake Austin. Launched the boat at Walsh Landing, left her holding the line at the dock while I put the car & trailer rig up in the nearby parking lot. When trotting back down to the dock I noticed something was kinda odd - she was standing there with a bewildered look on her face holding the line, but the boat was sinking. Seems that my dumb ass forgot to make sure the drainage plug was secure in the stern transome. The interior was almost a fourth full of water and the stern was starting to really tilt downwards. I managed to jump in and get the drainage plug in place, then frantically started bailing with my hands. She tied the line and got in to grab two plastic cups that we used to continue bailing. After a few minutes enough water was out so I could start the Evinrude 40 outboard. Good thing the battery was secured & dry in a waterproof case. She untied the line and I backed it away from the dock, then ahead at full throttle. As soon as we were up to about half speed, I told her to pull the plug so it could start draining - which it did completely in just a few minutes. After that we went on with the running around on the lake. Too bad I couldn’t take any pics of her skiing in that nice yellow two piece swimsuit. She filled it out nicely. After we both had graduated later I heard she had married a psychiatrist. Edited August 19Aug 19 by Armybrat
August 21Aug 21 Sleeping on the boat with my boy and headed to Cat in the am. I raised him on this boat when he was 1 years old. He’s 22.i hope we stay connected on this trip. Love this boy.
August 22Aug 22 2 hours ago, Party_Taco said: Is that from the mast cam? The Catalina webcam. I’m the boat with the kayaks on the rails. Edited August 22Aug 22 by Sbbruin
August 22Aug 22 A little off topic, but the new Michael Connelly book, "Nightshade", is really good and it takes place on Catalina. Main character is the head LASD cop on the island. About to start reading this while on the mooring. Fortunately we got moved inside.
August 22Aug 22 3 minutes ago, Sbbruin said: About to start reading this while on the mooring. Fortunately we got moved inside. it's a good one. And, in a different vein, "Heartbreaker" by Mike Campbell is the best rock and roll book I've ever read.
August 23Aug 23 On 5/24/2023 at 12:47 AM, Cajun said: Quite a bit of, “hey mister” going on out on the lake yesterday. These aggy dimes were fun… Got any more of these beautys? That one driving especially. Shoot me a PM Edited August 23Aug 23 by Jumping_dandelion
August 24Aug 24 On 8/22/2025 at 9:08 PM, Jumping_dandelion said: Got any more of these beautys? That one driving especially. Shoot me a PM Shit, that post was over two years ago. They are married up and pregnant with their second kid, or they have already turned into bitter cat ladies. CHIEF
August 26Aug 26 That's a nice little set-up all the way around. So relaxing just to be able to step on the boat and go without the ramp and parking hassle.
August 28Aug 28 On 8/25/2025 at 8:14 PM, Cajun said: That's a nice little set-up all the way around. So relaxing just to be able to step on the boat and go without the ramp and parking hassle. We moved out to the lake in 2007 with no ragrets to be close to the water. That plus a slip and lift were my non-negotiables. Once going out for an hour became easy we had the set up we wanted. Spending the whole day with boat ramps and an hour each way commuting to the boat just doesn’t work for me.
August 28Aug 28 I’m looking into chartering now with the accelerated deprecation under the BBB. The idea of writing off the purchase price and getting 35% off the purchase price through tax deductions is enticing. Edited August 28Aug 28 by Bert Orange
August 28Aug 28 2 hours ago, Bert Orange said: I’m looking into chartering now with the accelerated deprecation under the BBB. The idea of writing off the purchase price and getting 35% off the purchase price through tax deductions is enticing. if I had a larger boat I would absolutely consider it. my buddy with a 60 ft hatteras SFY is very happy (he already does charter deals). real estate depreciation sucks - I mean it's great and you can 1031 to delay recapture but an appreciating asset with depreciation (accelerated or otherwise) deductions is a mega tax bill waiting to happen. being able to depreciate a depreciating asset is fucking money coming and going. Edited August 28Aug 28 by troph
September 18Sep 18 Never had to reseal the helm but have had the cylinder done a couple of times at a couple different shops (2x in last 15 years). I would guess a competent shop could handle it? The rebuild kit looks to be a dozen o-rings and new stainless hardware to button it back up - shouldn't be a terrible job I wouldn't think. Ended up just buying a complete new helm pump from West Marine on sale. Got it put in, purged the system and it ran great. Probably should have done it two years ago.
September 21Sep 21 Down at the boat getting her ready for a Catalina trip with some HS buds next weekend. Just hit a local (and really good) seafood spot, and 2 of the hottest chicks I've seen in awhile just sat next to me. Creepered a pic.
September 21Sep 21 14 hours ago, Sbbruin said: Down at the boat getting her ready for a Catalina trip with some HS buds next weekend. Just hit a local (and really good) seafood spot, and 2 of the hottest chicks I've seen in awhile just sat next to me. Creepered a pic. Thigh
September 25Sep 25 Prepping for the Pink Floyd Cove show next night we have next to no wind for the fog machine -- IMG_7646.mov
October 1Oct 1 On 9/17/2025 at 8:38 PM, davidg said: Ended up just buying a complete new helm pump from West Marine on sale. Got it put in, purged the system and it ran great. Probably should have done it two years ago. Probably not worst idea. That's what I probably would have done, but I've always wanted a different lock to lock ratio than what I've got.
October 9Oct 9 On 8/19/2025 at 12:01 PM, Armybrat said: Amusing anecdote about that little runabout: One fine summer mid morning I had a date with my gf (see pic) to take her waterskiing on Lake Austin. Launched the boat at Walsh Landing, left her holding the line at the dock while I put the car & trailer rig up in the nearby parking lot. When trotting back down to the dock I noticed something was kinda odd - she was standing there with a bewildered look on her face holding the line, but the boat was sinking. Seems that my dumb ass forgot to make sure the drainage plug was secure in the stern transome. The interior was almost a fourth full of water and the stern was starting to really tilt downwards. I managed to jump in and get the drainage plug in place, then frantically started bailing with my hands. She tied the line and got in to grab two plastic cups that we used to continue bailing. After a few minutes enough water was out so I could start the Evinrude 40 outboard. Good thing the battery was secured & dry in a waterproof case. She untied the line and I backed it away from the dock, then ahead at full throttle. As soon as we were up to about half speed, I told her to pull the plug so it could start draining - which it did completely in just a few minutes. After that we went on with the running around on the lake. Too bad I couldn’t take any pics of her skiing in that nice yellow two piece swimsuit. She filled it out nicely. After we both had graduated later I heard she had married a psychiatrist. mandatory x,1
October 19Oct 19 Question for you boat guys - this is the sliding door to my cabin. The three screws at the bottom won’t stay tight and keep working themselves out. The thread part looks kind of like a wood screw. Is there anything I can either put on the threads or in the fiberglass hole that will keep them in tighter, but still be able to unscrew them if needed?
October 19Oct 19 Question for you boat guys - this is the sliding door to my cabin. The three screws at the bottom won’t stay tight and keep working themselves out. The thread part looks kind of like a wood screw. Is there anything I can either put on the threads or in the fiberglass hole that will keep them in tighter, but still be able to unscrew them if needed? Is the core of that door wood or composite? For composite, I’d probably just poke some JB weld in there with a toothpick, then put the screws back in. If wood, I’d do a more thorough job of removing the trim piece and checking for rotten wood. I’d oversize drill the holes and epoxy in a dowel. Drill the dowel for screw pilot holes, paint/seal everything and then reinstall trim and screws.
October 20Oct 20 Epoxy a dowel is my recommendation as well. If you can't find a dowel that will fit you can also use a bunch of toothpicks or a wood golf tee.
November 3Nov 3 The sudden shutdown of Catalina Yachts has hundreds of Cat owners across Maine dumbfounded – and worried. The sailboat manufacturer – once considered the largest such business in the world – announced last week it was closing “temporarily” amid a boardroom battle. Florida Catalina President Patrick Turner announced the main factory was going dark til further notice. The shutdown comes amid a company reorganization following its purchase by renowned yacht dealer Michael Reardon, who allegedly has reneged on the sale. Reardon had also promised to buy Catalina’s sister company, True North Powerboats, known for their Downeast-style vessels – favorites of fishermen and recreationists. But the business deal is now apparently becalmed, throwing into uncertainty for Maine boaters and fishermen Reardon’s corporate future. A Florida court last week evicted Reardon from Catalina’s manufacturing plant. The company’s sailboats are a staple among recreational sailors nationwide, the most common boats plying the Maine coast and the state’s inland waters. “Catalina sailboats are one of the most popular sailboats in Maine,” veteran sailor and attorney Neal Weinstein of Old Orchard Beach told The Maine Wire. “There are hundreds of Catalina owners throughout the state, from lakes to the ocean, as they make boats from 12.5 to 44 feet.” A key question among Cat owners is whether they will be able to maintain their boats since parts will be hard if not impossible to get. Turner insisted that “pending orders” will be honored, but boaters are leery – and fear new orders will be spiked. “I’m absolutely shocked that we aren’t talking more about this major announcement,” Ken Bauer of Catalina Sailboat Owners Association said Saturday. In his statement Saturday, Turner tried to downplay the alleged bleak outlook. “All existing boat orders remain in place and will be fulfilled,” he said. “Our dealer network remains available to assist with sales, service, and warranty matters.” Catalinas are popular partly because they are considered everyman’s boat. “Catalina was the first or entrée sailboat for many people as Catalina was affordable and produced sailboats of smaller sizes,” Weinstein said. “If Catalina goes out of business, it’s kind of like GM shutting down, and will leave a void.” Reardon, founder of Daedalus Yachts of North Carolina, acquired Catalina six months ago. He also acquired sister company True North in the same deal, as well as Tartan Yachts, Freedom Yachts and AMP Carbon Spars, making him America’s largest recreational yacht builder. Catalina was founded in 1970 by Frank Butler, with the first model being the Cat 22, quickly followed by the Cat 27. “Butler arguably got more people out sailing, racing and cruising than any other North American,” says George Day of BlueWaterSailing com. “His boats were and are solid, handsome, practical cruisers that represent excellent quality and long-term value.” Catalina acquired True North in 2019, marking its entry into the Downeast-style powerboat market.
November 4Nov 4 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Catalina Yachts has hundreds of Cat owners across Maine 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Florida Catalina President Patrick Turner announced the main factory was going dark 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Catalina’s sister company, True North Powerboats, known for their Downeast-style vessels 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: throwing into uncertainty for Maine boaters 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: A Florida court last week evicted Reardon from Catalina’s manufacturing plant. 17 hours ago, Gil Bang said: Reardon, founder of Daedalus Yachts of North Carolina, acquired Catalina
November 4Nov 4 19 hours ago, Gil Bang said: The sudden shutdown of Catalina Yachts has hundreds of Cat owners across Maine dumbfounded – and worried. The sailboat manufacturer – once considered the largest such business in the world – announced last week it was closing “temporarily” amid a boardroom battle. Florida Catalina President Patrick Turner announced the main factory was going dark til further notice. The shutdown comes amid a company reorganization following its purchase by renowned yacht dealer Michael Reardon, who allegedly has reneged on the sale. Reardon had also promised to buy Catalina’s sister company, True North Powerboats, known for their Downeast-style vessels – favorites of fishermen and recreationists. But the business deal is now apparently becalmed, throwing into uncertainty for Maine boaters and fishermen Reardon’s corporate future. A Florida court last week evicted Reardon from Catalina’s manufacturing plant. The company’s sailboats are a staple among recreational sailors nationwide, the most common boats plying the Maine coast and the state’s inland waters. “Catalina sailboats are one of the most popular sailboats in Maine,” veteran sailor and attorney Neal Weinstein of Old Orchard Beach told The Maine Wire. “There are hundreds of Catalina owners throughout the state, from lakes to the ocean, as they make boats from 12.5 to 44 feet.” A key question among Cat owners is whether they will be able to maintain their boats since parts will be hard if not impossible to get. Turner insisted that “pending orders” will be honored, but boaters are leery – and fear new orders will be spiked. “I’m absolutely shocked that we aren’t talking more about this major announcement,” Ken Bauer of Catalina Sailboat Owners Association said Saturday. In his statement Saturday, Turner tried to downplay the alleged bleak outlook. “All existing boat orders remain in place and will be fulfilled,” he said. “Our dealer network remains available to assist with sales, service, and warranty matters.” Catalinas are popular partly because they are considered everyman’s boat. “Catalina was the first or entrée sailboat for many people as Catalina was affordable and produced sailboats of smaller sizes,” Weinstein said. “If Catalina goes out of business, it’s kind of like GM shutting down, and will leave a void.” Reardon, founder of Daedalus Yachts of North Carolina, acquired Catalina six months ago. He also acquired sister company True North in the same deal, as well as Tartan Yachts, Freedom Yachts and AMP Carbon Spars, making him America’s largest recreational yacht builder. Catalina was founded in 1970 by Frank Butler, with the first model being the Cat 22, quickly followed by the Cat 27. “Butler arguably got more people out sailing, racing and cruising than any other North American,” says George Day of BlueWaterSailing com. “His boats were and are solid, handsome, practical cruisers that represent excellent quality and long-term value.” Catalina acquired True North in 2019, marking its entry into the Downeast-style powerboat market. Yeah, it sounds like Reardon might be pretty shady. Someone will acquire the assets and restart production. The Catalina brand is too much a part of the fabric of American boatbuilding to just disappear.
November 4Nov 4 1 hour ago, Incredulity said: Catalina moved from Woodland Hills to Florida like 10-15 years ago as environmental issues related to production became too much.
November 24Nov 24 On 9/26/2025 at 6:14 PM, Sbbruin said: Back at the island maybe one last time in 2025. A bit overcast but glorious. Very cool. Having grown up in Southern California prior to my dad relocating us to Dallas, I appreciate pictures from Catalina. My family and I once boated from Balboa to Catalina and overnighted with family friends. They kept their boat in Newport and i recall it being one of the great "adventures" of my young life at that time. This was early 80's. Great experience.
December 5Dec 5 Picked it up on Tuesday last week and still haven't been able to get it in the water... Won't be back down to the coast until a week from tomorrow, FML
December 5Dec 5 IMG_4558.mov Parked in front of Necker Island as we went by. Not sure which Surly member it is.
December 8Dec 8 Looks close to mine, but mine has a Texas flag on the back. And doesn't look so run down.
December 8Dec 8 On 12/5/2025 at 4:50 PM, Zwylde said: IMG_4558.mov 69.4 MB · 5 downloads Parked in front of Necker Island as we went by. Not sure which Surly member it is. Chitowndoc?
December 8Dec 8 On 12/2/2025 at 12:35 PM, tequila said: Dang it. @tequila refresh my memory, but you have a Freeman for the deeper water, correct? Got both ends of the spectrum pretty, pretty well covered.
December 9Dec 9 37 minutes ago, tequila said: Sea señor. X3 as well for intermediate. Well...well done. Damn.
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