Skippers over 6-feet tall often have problems finding full headroom afloat. The Catalina gives you 6'3" height, with bunk lengths to match. And there is walking around room as well, which is very difficult at 30 feet. The open quarter berth gives the interior a feeling of length that is missing on boats that are chopped into small cabins. The head is large enough to shower, sit down, or change clothes in, all without getting stuck or bruised up. If you choose or have to, you can turn the boat into a bunkhouse for the kids or guests, with a vee-berth double, a dinette double, and a double quarter berth. While spaciousness is not a sailing characteristic, it is a highly valued cruising feature. And one that alone has sold a lot of Catalina 30s, especially to the wives.

The galley is surprisingly efficient by anyone's standards. It is a deep U-shape to port, out of traffic flow to he cockpit and secure in a seaway (although most cruisers will not cook until the anchor is down). The counter, sink, and storage space is excellent. So the cook has some chance of turning out a decent meal there, rather than being limited to heating a can of soup or stew. The wide hatch vents cooking heat in the dog days and keeps things brighter on rainy days under the dodger.