Opinions on Puchasing a C34

Julian Elliott · October 01, 2009, 02:42:57 PM

I have recently put my beloved 1996 C320 in brokerage, and am now searching for a later model (03-07) C34 to replace it. This was brought on less by two-foot-itis" than by the admirable features I can find in the C34 with respect to sailing performance, accomodations, and comfort. I particularly like the lower freeboard, large v-berth, ergonomics, and the possibility of in-mast furling (yes, I know the tradeoffs, but am unfortunately getting a bit less mobile). Besides, it has beautiful lines, and can be handled easily by a cruising couple.

We moved from San Francisco to Victoria, BC, and we love cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands; the C34 seems perfect for us both above and below deck. In this area, fin keel, big sail area, good electronics (plotter/radar), heater, and solid ground tackle are important features which are desirable/required. I suspect I'll be upgrading any boat I find.

Anyway, I would be very appreciative of any advice or perspective you could give as I search for the perfect boat. Especially any problem areas or items to particularly look out for as I assess boats. (Eg, is there a Tall Rig version of the later MkII's??) I am looking up and down the West Coast, with most of the few C34's for sale seemingly in Southern California unfortunately.

Thanks in advance for your help. I am very impressed with the C34 Forum and look forward to being here legally someday....

Julian Elliott

Joe and Carol · October 01, 2009, 03:45:02 PM

I know others will contribute specifically to your request and by searching the knowledge contained in the C34 Association Site you will learn so much. Knowing you are a previous Catalina sailor, my advice is to act quickly once you find the C34 of your choice. Do not let a fair price compared to a real deal stop your purchase. Waiting to long to close a decision can cause you to lose a purchase opportunity. Everyone at this time in our recession is looking for a deal . . . but you are looking for a Catalina 34. Its worth as a fine crafted ship and its contribution to your pleasure and leisure are discretionary factors of the price in total.

What you pay for the C34 you find and what you spend to tend her to your likes will never be regretted if you enjoy a C34 as much as Carol and I. Best of Luck.

Stu Jackson · October 01, 2009, 04:21:41 PM

Julian

You wrote: Especially any problem areas or items to particularly look out for as I assess boats

The best summaries of C34 specific issues, rather than "generic" boat issues, can be found on the old FAQ page: http://www.c34.org/faq-pages/faq.html

What folks have done for their boats is summarized on the Projects page: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects.html

Many of these issues are more related to the older boats.

The "usual suspects" apply to all: chainplates, proper belt tensioning, stanchion rebedding, etc. Nothing you haven't seen before.

Actually, we've been trying to get the Mark II skippers to chime in with their "laundry list of problems" but they been hesitant; I'll let them say whether or not it's because they don't have any.

Any boat you get for "up there" will require a heater and there are a few ideas on the referenced pages, many more of which you can find by using the Message Board search engine. One neat trick I recently learned about routing a hot air duct from the port locker to the saloon through the head: go under the medicine cabinet, nobody'll ever notice! There are a few heater installs in our documentation.

Also, to get familiar with getting around our website, try this, The Guide...: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,2629.0.html It includes A QUICK START GUIDE FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THIS WEBSITE AND YOUR BOAT: Learning Fast 101

Julian Elliott · October 01, 2009, 05:44:36 PM

Stu,

I must admit I got a lot of info on heaters off this site earlier this year when I installed a Webasto furnace on my 320!

Julian

Michael Shaner · October 01, 2009, 07:41:11 PM

Joe...that was so nicely put, I don't think I could have done it with more passion if I had a month to compose it. Good advice...

Julian, we by no means "got a deal" on the purchase price, but we believe we paid a fair price. As Joe said, we were looking for a C34...and the general family concensus is we would only upgrade to a 2010 C34...maybe

Hope you find the right one for you!

sail4dale · October 01, 2009, 11:23:22 PM

Stu said: Actually, we've been trying to get the Mark II skippers to chime in with their "laundry list of problems" but they been hesitant; I'll let them say whether or not it's because they don't have any. Shocked

Well, I've had True Luff #1582 since 2002 and I really haven't had any problems. I regard her as the best boat I've owned.- (I've raced and cruised a Cal20, Ericson 29 and a Cat30). I love the boat, its size, its ability to take the seas like a lady, and the accommodations for a couple who are both in the tall category (I'm 6'6"). I also believe that everyone would benefit from a folding prop ... I changed from a fixed 3 blade to a 3 blade folding Flex-0-fold and love it. .... more speed and less kelp.

Jim Hardesty · October 02, 2009, 08:27:05 AM

Julian,
I purchased my 2001 two seasons ago. Shamrock has a wing keel, roller furling main, and 160 Genoa. I sail Lake Erie.

Before I say any thing else....with out hesitation....I am very happy with the boat...has exceeded my expatiation's.

Now for the things that I don't like.

The waste holding tank. 17 gal. in the brosure but I suspect that its smaller or that the useable capacity is less.
When cruising ,with 2, I need to pump out every 3 or 4 days.

The sealant or caulking didn't last. I redid my seahood last year and plan to re-bed and redo everything. The boat has always been in Erie and is covered for 4 or 5 months during the year. My last boat, a 1979 S2, still had original sealant bedding that was still good.

Sailing....the boat sails well...but...I think that it's set up with too much head sail(160) and not enough main(furling) weather helm happens early, and the only way I'm able to get the main leach steady is with the leach line.(I made a 1" dowel with a hook on the end to reach up and tighten the leach line) I'm not doing any changes yet hoping that a sailmaker will come up with a way to put roach and battens into the main. The big Genoa does work great on light air days but needs (or should be) reefed early.

Other things are what you see is what you have. The refrigerator has to be very organized or you do a lot of digging. Not much galley storage unless you take it from someplace else.

Everything is a choice between this or that. For the way we use our Catalina 34mkll it's great. The problems can be fixed or lived with.

Jim

Ken Juul · October 02, 2009, 08:44:38 AM

One thing Catalina does well is listen to owners. Many owner suggestions and the things that have required fixing on the MK1 and Mk 1.5 were upgraded or fixed in the MKIIs. Also MKIIs are relatively newer, so fewer things have had a chance to break and advances in technology have all ready been incorporated. The models are also similiar enough that MKI projects can be incorporated without too many changes, so new write ups may not be done. These could be some of the reasons that we don't see alot of MKII problems/projects.

Boat shopping is fun, but it can be frustrating. It took me about 2 years to find the right one. Looked at a lot that really didn't have the things I wanted or I thought were overpriced. Made what I thought were resonable offers, to be turned down. Finally found the right one, it too was above market. Again made a reasonable offer, to be turned down. It was the right boat and the PO did budge a couple thousand so I accepted the counter. Dockmates looked for over a year for a C34. They finally settled on a C36 because they could not find a C34 with a walk thru transom (their only real requirement) within their budget. Moral of the story, the C34 is a sought after boat that holds it's value. In most cases you get what you pay for.

Julian Elliott · October 02, 2009, 09:59:59 AM

Thanks for the insightful comments. This is very helpful. Jim, your comments on limitations highlight some we've noted (don't get my wife started on the galley and reefer layout vs the 320!). The tradeoffs with a furling main are important to me; I wrestle with that, but ease of sailing is becoming increasingly a priority unfortunately. Your leech line solution sounds interesting. I also understand that some mains come with vertical battens. Also, I also see a folding prop to offset the reduced sail efficiency since we're in a light-wind area.

It is interesting to hear comments on pricing/value which is consistent with what I've found. We have friends who are encouraging us to consider a 350 as an alternative -- more boat for similar dollars. I'm not familiar with the 350. Opinions?

Julian

Jim Hardesty · October 02, 2009, 11:03:30 AM

Julian,
I do have a feathering prop, maxi-prop, best sail change I've ever made. The 350s are nice, good looking, but if you see one next to a 34 or 36 the difference in height is appearant. I like the lower 34&36s, but I'm not 6 foot.
Jim

Stu Jackson · October 02, 2009, 11:13:43 AM

This is a forum about C34s, not boat reviews of other models, although we've been known to comment on questions about C36s (nice boats) and others we may have seen at boat shows. We're not really "experts" on boats that aren't C34s.

tommyt · October 02, 2009, 11:55:52 AM

Julian,

I think that you will find that most of the issues were addressed in the first iterations of the C34. I have a 2004, and have had very few problems that I did not cause myself. That said, I did have an issue with some cracks at the sugar scoop. It was not reinforced enough. Catalina fixed that problem for me and it has not come back.

The weather helm is a factor of the masthead rig and the size of genoas many use. Having sailed a few other boats that were fractional rigs it does take some getting used to. You asked about the tall rig in later boats. My boat is a tall rig, but I do not have in mast furling. I sail with a 130 and really don't have the weather helm problems of the larger genoas.

Julian Elliott · October 02, 2009, 12:58:00 PM

Tommyt, thanks for the comments on sailability. Re gelcoat crazing in the transom, I had heard of that.

Stu, sorry for asking an inappropriate q re comparisons. Laziness on my part, and I'm investigating elsewhere (although I think I know my conclusion).

I don't want to overstay my welcome. Thanks to all for your comments.

Julian Elliott

Stu Jackson · October 02, 2009, 01:01:14 PM

Quote from: jelliott on October 02, 2009, 12:58:00 PMI don't want to overstay my welcome. Thanks to all for your comments.

Julian, as a registrant here on the Forum / Message Board you are ALWAYS welcome, and we look forward to you as a member of the Catalina 34 International Association once you find "your" boat. Good hunting!

Ted Pounds · October 02, 2009, 05:55:38 PM

Quote from: Jim Hardesty on October 02, 2009, 08:27:05 AM

Sailing....the boat sails well...but...I think that it's set up with too much head sail(160) and not enough main(furling) weather helm happens early, and the only way I'm able to get the main leach steady is with the leach line.(I made a 1" dowel with a hook on the end to reach up and tighten the leach line) I'm not doing any changes yet hoping that a sailmaker will come up with a way to put roach and battens into the main. The big Genoa does work great on light air days but needs (or should be) reefed early.

Jim

Jim,
If you're getting weather helm you need to reef the main first. That reduces the sail area aft of the center of lateral resistance (moves the center of effort forward) and reduces weather helm. Just a thought...