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I was thinking my Craigslist ad for the boat didn't seem to be working and that I would need to list it with a broker and get it on Yachtworld.    Then I discovered that if you remove the word "cockpit" from your listing, it doesn't get flagged for removal.   

Yesterday we signed a contract and took a deposit for Blackdragon.   

A very cool young couple with adventurous plans are doing sea trials and survey on Saturday.     I am sure they'll have many questions here.   They plan to video the process and share their experience others as they go.   

It will great to see the boat go on to its next adventures.   I would say that it is a sad nostalgic moment for us, but honestly the new cat is so awesome, I am not sure anybody is looking back.    It's like when I sold Snapdragon I thought the family might react badly, but I never heard anyone complain about not folding the table down to go to sleep at night. 

Just need to have a name for NextDragon...  Perhaps we'll see some of you over on the Manta forum one day. 

Here is the listing on Sailboatlistings.com for Blackdragon.   I'll update in the marketplace.



http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/57212

[CONGRATULATIONS]

CONGRATULATIONS
Steve, Tracey & Foster.

Thanks Stu!   I have a feeling this one is going under Golden Gate.   We'll be looking for local crew to help us navigate the waters!   

Details on the new boat please

. It's a 1999 Manta 40 cat.  Bluewater cruiser loaded with everything.   There is a little guy with a silver head called Mr Andersen who does everything from hoist the Leisure Furl main to lifting the dingy out of the water.   It's breathtaking. 

Got the new cat last weekend.    Time to sell Blackdragon.   I posted the details in the boats for sale forum.   

1988 Catalina 34

Nicely cared for and extensively upgraded Catalina 34.     Spacious cockpit with all sail controls lead aft.  Lazy bag for main with controls for 2 reefs to cockpit.   Roller furling jib and custom made asymmetrical spinnaker.  Large aft cabin.  Secure u-shaped galley with spacious top load fridge.   Wine storage and microwave oven over navigation table.  Large main salon with custom mahogany maple table.  Large v-berth forward. 

Improvements   

New Beta 25 diesel (2013 500 hrs)
New stainless shaft (2015)
Raymarine autopilot integrated with plotter
All rigging replaced 2009
Elliptical rudder upgrade 2009
Garmin Radar
2 Garmin chart plotters
VHF with DSC GPS integration
390W Kyocera / Bluesky solar system
450Ah house bank (new 2014)
40A Xantrex charger
2000W inverter
Xantrex battery monitor
Bluetooth Alpine stereo with interior and cockpit speakers
Microwave
Webasto diesel  heating system
LG flatscreen TV
Dodger with handrails
Bimini with solar mounts & connecting panel
Cruising spinnaker with sock
Cockpit shower
Amsteel lifelines
Garhauer outboard engine hoist
Lewmar windlass

$45,000 US

swdollingatgmaildotcom

For pics:

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/57212

I replaced the scupper hoses.   I think I have seen about every sea condition and never had water come up through the scuppers.   I do recall one dark night off Oregon with a large following sea and thinking, "What the hell was I thinking going with the cheap hose on the scuppers?   This is not an above the waterline application."   And that's how I got to find a really great marine store in Oregon with quality hose...

I think they are correct.    The sheaves are mounted in the cap assembly that you need to pull off the top of the mast.    It is held down by stays.    No real access without pulling the stick.  Or you need a more adventurous rigger...

Paul, aside from the alternator issues (and you will be fine internal, external with a portable generator), have a great cruise!   

Hi Susan!

Too early for that quite yet.   We are looking at making an offer on a (gasp) cat next week.   If we don't end up buying this cat, we may still be cruising Blackdragon to Alaska next summer.   If we do close on the cat, then I will put together a listing with pricing etc.   It's a good time to buy Canadian boats - it is moored in Vancouver.   Everything is on sale here.

Stu, the new owner's questions will be my legacy to the C34 group.    New Owner: "I can't seem to fit tall bottles on the three most outboard slots of the wine storage rack behind the microwave.   Does anyone have a solution?"     C34: "Wine storage rack?"   New Owner:  "Where can I get a replacement for the trapezoidal snap in black out blind for the forward hatch?"    C34: "What?"   New Owner:  "Two of the float switches on the little blocks are for the big bilge pumps, and the deep one is for the small pump, but what does the fourth switch do?" C34:  "Ah there should be one switch and the handle for the other pump should be in the aft lazarette..."

So we should load the boat with scuba gear, dishes and other enticing stuff and then take it away when we have the contract signed?   

Oh no, wait.   The other Ken.   Got it.

Thanks guys.    I was aboard yesterday doing green slime removal after the dock water has been turned on again at the conclusion of our brutally cold winter.   Nobody wants to buy green slime.  I think I'll keep it clean and basic and if the new owner wants the custom mattress toppers, lee cloths etc, they get a nice bonus with their new boat.   Much better than stealing the dishes after the transaction!     

My guess is Blackdragon is one of the better equipped Catalina 34s for cruising.    As I think about getting it ready to go to market, I am not sure what will give it the most market appeal.    The right buyer might want it exactly as I have it.   To many though it might seem cluttered and overloaded.    I am not sure if the following items add value for the new buyer:

400 Watts of solar?
Weather cloths?
Lee cloths?
Outboard hoist?
Oversize 20kg Rocna?
Flatscreen TV?
Spare anchors?
Rod holders?
Lifesling?
Dingy and 10hp outboard?
Microwave over nav?
Netting over shelves?
Overhead wine glass holders?

A clean boat with a fresh Beta engine, newish rig, bimini, dodger, radar, plotter, autopilot, swim platform, newer rudder, new shaft should have appeal.    My inclination is to take pictures of everything and strip away most of the stuff to present a less cluttered boat.   

Is that direction to go or do people like their C34s "loaded" as it were?

 

Awesome.   

The internet is full of debate about what makes a bluewater boat.   The real issue is what makes a bluewater crew.   Bernard Moitessier would have been thrilled to have a bluewater Catalina 34 on his first few trips around.  We have begun shopping for the next one and the more I see of "modern" designs, the more I like my Catalina...