1986 C34 Mast Configuration

[Stu Jackson]

I'm doing a research project and would appreciate your help.

The challenge is to find the 1986 hull number when Catalina changed from the original deck stepped mast to the keel stepped version.

Historically, we have been led to understand that the change occurred in 1987.  However, our boat, #224, with hull number CTYP0224F686, which means it was "born" in June 1986, has a keel stepped mast.

For those of you with Good Old Boats from 1986, please let us know what kind you have and what your hull number and month are, and perhaps we can add another bit of folklore to the many chapters in this Great Book of C34s.

Thanks,  Stu
Catalina 34 International Secretary

[SteveLyle]

*

[Gary Wilson]

Mine is #138 with keel stepped mast.  I am not certain about whether it has a wood insole.

[dave davis]

You probably know this, #8 owned by Chris Owen -"Mottley" is stepped on the deck.

[mvazmina]

We have #27 with a deck stepped mast

[Tom P, IMPULSE #233, '86]

As of today, I'm the proud new owner of a 1986 Catalina 34...The mast is keel stepped; hull number 233, built June '86...

[cajenson]

I have # 40 (FreeBird) deck stepped

[malgase]

Number 91.  Keel Stepped

Michael

[Dave Veenhuis]

Who can explain this?
I have #104 and it is deck stepped.

[kenkillian]

Our Puff is #19 and of course is deck stepped.

[malgase]

Stu,

I looked a little closer at my serial number, CTYP0091L586.  Now I am not sure how to decode the number, but I expect the "L" has meaning.  

Per your comments, the boat would be "born" in May of 1986, which is plausible, because the original sale from the dealer to the first owner was on 5/31/86 in upstate New York.  This would indicate the boats get serialized a the end of the production line, not at the beginning.

My guess is that they had two different configurations on the line at the same time.  Any chance Keel vs. Deck stepped was an option on the early boats?  That would explain why some low numbers are deck stepped and some higher numbers are keel stepped . . .

Just a thought.
 :confused:

Michael

[Jim Rose]

Maybe this will help.  I have an original Catalina 34 order form dated 11/10/85.  Listed under Rigging was option F 36 02 Deck Stepped Mast in Lieu of Keel Stepped Mast.  $185.00.  
Deluxe Boat with Complete Standard Equipment. $45,995.00.
What's this on factory-equipped Shaefer Boom Furler, as on CARINA (1587)?  I have Mast Furling on OASIS and that works great.

[malgase]

Well, Jim Rose answered the "options" question.  

My next one is whether we really believe they built over 100 boats between May and June of 1986.  "Tranquilizer" is hull #91 in May (CTYP0091L586), and "Aquavite" is #224 in June (CTYP0224F586).  I know they ramped up fast, but that would be remarkable!  The letter has to reflect something. . .

Michael

[bobmack]

My boat is # 52, is deck stepped, and was built in Oct. of 85. The letter is the month of the year built.

[Aquakon]

Oh my God!  Catalina Yachts' been RAKING IN THE DOUGH over the years, huh?

Al Qaeda-cide

Rumours of my Death Persist