In article ,
"David Edney" wrote:

Does anyone have experience of the Catalina 380's suitability as an offshore
liveaboard. I have been fighting with the dillema of using a production
boat for offshore work, asI have an older traditional boat and wish to
upgrade for larger vessel. As a traditionalist I am fully aware of the 2
schools of thought about using this type of vessel offshore but I must admit
to being seduced by the amount of intenal space for the length of boat. I
would appreciate a mail from anyone with first hand experience with these
yachts as the only information I have is what was provided by the sales
person.

Thanks
David E

Personally, Liveaboard and Offshore are very different animals. Since
long distance sailors spend 90+ of their time at anchor, I tend towards
liveaboard preferences, particularly since most people that ask
questions such as yours are considering relatively sheltered trips as
the Windward Path down the Caribbean. If I didn't have my lady as part
of the equation, I'd do THAT trip in our old Macgregor 21. It's far more
lightly built than the Catalina 380, but could easily make it if the
captain was as conservative as I am.

I (and my insurance company) don't consider a couple of days' travel
down the East coast outside of the ICW as offshore.

In other words, though I don't know the Catalina 380 personally, it may
be perfectly adequate to the trip you envision. For us to pass
judgement, you'll have to define that trip more fully.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/