We have a C25 '89 SR/WK and are looking at C34 with Shoal draft. We need the 4ft or less draft here in Eastern NC.
What are the main differences with the C34 in years. For example if the floor plan changes after year '89. Or if the Propane locker is vented after year '90.
What is the ideal year for C34? Why? (Shallow draft only)
Is there another Longer or shorter version of Catalina (for a certain year) that has that shallow of a draft?
Know of any other boats with shallow drafts? I know there are some lioke Sabre, Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, etc.... Old Morgans have some too.
Update: Just noticed the topic about this above. I hope to have more time to search this. It seems that this forum is active like the C25 forum. That's encouraging.
Trouble deciding on boat features = Good problems to have.
Check out the "History" link on the left of the home page.
There is also the brochures link on the home page that will show you the general layout. But neither really answer your question. The interiors stay basically the same on all the C34 models. If the boat has propane, it is in a vented locker. Some came with CNG, it is lighter than air so the vented locker is not needed. With all the changes in the stern came changes in how the lazerette is designed.
This site is just about the C34, there may be some members that also have info on other boats that will chime in as they see fit. The only way I see possible to get a 4ft draft in a 34 ft boat is to go either with a full keel or a centerboard. Both are totally different designs than the C34.
I know you have some skinny water down there, my boat is originally from the New Bern area. The previous owners loved it, had to go bigger because of family size. I think you could learn to live with the 4'6" draft of the shoal keel.
According to the specifications, the draft of a MK I wing keel is 3' 10", and on a MK II 4' 3".
Tony
The Mk I specifications turned out to be too "optimistic" and Catalina later changed them. I think the Mk II specs are more accurate. Then, you have to account for loading you boat with gear, water, fuel, people, etc. The 4'6" draft given above is a good one.
I always wondered about that, especially with many of us finding that the displacement of a MKII is more like 16,000 than 13,000. I'll have to try measuring this winter when on the hard.
Tony
I say I'm going to do that every time I pull the boat.....some how I loose the sticky or it doesn't make the work list. Please do and report back.
I submit that this issue is one that's been beaten to death.
I recommend a search on "displacement" to read all about it.
Stu, It's the draft I want to measure...
Tony
Tony, I was commenting on the displacement, not the draft. IIRC, the 3-10 was a guess, and also some have mentioned that when you heel the boat the wing keel gets deeper, which is another reason for the 4-3.
Scooter:
We've been sailing a 1987 C34 (MK I) around Eastern NC for several years and are very pleased with our shallow-water access. The boat's compliment of goodies & gear may have some impact on draft from boat to boat, but in calibrating our new depth sounder this year I found that we draw 4'3". We've only found terra firma once in the many anchorages we've explored (due to a 180o wind-shift and some misjudgment on the captain's fault). We're based not far from you on the Neuse, and have enjoyed many anchorages from Beaufort to the Albemarle without ever feeling like we needed less draft.
Happy hunting -
Jeff
Scooter : As Stu mentioned the (design goal was 3'10"), but Catalina admittedly missed it. The C34 wing keel draft is now listed at 4'3"' but realistically loaded the draft is 4'5" (on the level)
The wing design has evolved over the years and a 1988 wing will slightly draw more HEELED than a 1989 wing !!
We have the fin keel, so draw 5'7" (actually just a bit less when fuly loaded), and have sailed in "thin" Florida waters for 6 years without difficulties. We keep an eye on the chart and another on the fathometer, and except a few times when entering a marina, have never had a serious difficulty. In our experience, and suspect like most owners, we will not place our craft in a situation where plus or minus a foot of depth is critical. Would suggest you purchase the best C34 you can find, for the budget you have....wing keel or fin.
Glad to see the activity on this forum. Like most boating discussions, there are many flavors of opinions for each boat. It if often both informative and entertaining (sometimes both at the same time).
We are now discussing the step through transom. Something we didn't know about. We were looking at an '88 and were wondering why the price jump after that. Now we know and can make a more informed decision. We are leaning towards staying with Catalina because of our experience with our 25 and that forum. You never know.
1. We need shallow draft because we have a personal dock that can get down to about 4' if the wind is strong from the west for a while and the river is emptied of water. We have no measurable tide except wind tide. Normal water depth is about 5' +/- but we have to allow for the unusual west wind. Fin is NOT an option we are considering or likely will consider. It's not getting around that's the issue it's the dockage.
2. Jeff- We have friends that have a boat at Matthews Point and that is a beautiful marina. If anybody gets a chance you should check it out. One of the cleanest and best maintained marinas I have seen in Eastern NC.
What is your river bottom like? Sitting in muck for a while certainly won't hurt the boat. If you are concerned about getting back to the dock on a real low tide is it possible to anchor out until the water comes back up? How about dredging your dock to gain an extra foot or so of depth.
We've considers those (and other) options too.
1. We keep this at our second home. It's not our primary residence and it's a 2 1/2 drive to get there. We don't always have the luxury of waiting for the wind to change. Remember the wind is driving the water depth. It could be days before the wind direction changes.
2. Technically you can't dredge a "natural waterway" in eastern NC. I may not have to wording correct but there are strict definitions of what you can and can't dredge. We considered simply renting a high pressure pump (the kind that you use to re-level docks). We could do that 2-3 times a year. I can't say on this public forum that we "will" do that. It was only discussed as an option. There are fines for "dredging" without a permit. All we need is a safety factor for unusual water depths. Normally the depth isn't a problem.
3. The bottom is very soft silty mud throughout most of the area so the bottom isn't much of an issue. NOTE: We know of a Catalina Wing keel couple that are changing to a fin because their marina has shallow water and the other boats with fins can get out when they can't. They say the fins "knife" through the mud while a wing gets stuck...
Every situation is different. You just never know.
Have experienced the "fin keel slicing through muddy bottoms" more than once getting into and out of some Florida marinas, while seeing shallower wings get stuck. However, this is definitely not something we ever wish to repeat and certainly not something we build our cruising plans around. Given your winds, depths, and local ordinances you do have a challenge that at the end of the day, may simply require a boat with a swing keel. A C34 just may not be a workable hull for you. Best of luck to you.
I know it's an expensive option, but can you extend the dock to reach the deeper water?
Thought of that one too. Here it's about $22 sqft or (if your dock is 5 ft wide) $110 for each foot you add. We could get them to only place the pilings an we do the work ourselves to save money???? They offered that as an option when we got quotes.
Main issue is CAMA as controlled by the DCM. (Coastal Area Management Act - Division of Coastal Management)
They are very active here and use satellite pics to monitor it.
The rule is that you can't have a dock that extends more than 1/4 the way across a river. Our place is on Smith Creek up Bay River. It doesn't extend perpendicular to the shore since we are on a point between two branches within Smith Creek. It's hard to explain but I think we could extend at least another 50-75 ft without any issues. When I first called them they said "No" without even looking. But I kept after them and we plan to setup a meeting with them the next time we can match schedules.
We have about 300 ft of bulkhead that has about a 15ft opening. We can't join the walls because "technically" the 15 ft are "wetlands".
Extending the dock is not out of the picture yet. Maybe just persistance.
Good try though. Maybe somebody has an idea we haven't thought of yet.
There is an Ericson parked at a dock near us that can not get out at low tide. The owner has a mooring out from his dock in deeper water. He will move the boat out to the mooring at high tide and then depart later when it suits him. Maybe you could keep your boat on a mooring and bring her to the dock when you are visiting but leave her on the mooring when gone. I know it isn't a perfect solution but at least you know you will be able to go sailing when you come to visit your boat and you won't find yourselves stuck in the mud instead.
How much did your C25 draw? I expect you will find the difference in draft is not as significant as it seems. My Mk1 shoal draft C34 is at the same dock as my C27 (4 ft draft) used to live at and I know the 27 was slightly aground at extreme low tides. For the last two summers we haven't had a problem.
Mark Tamblyn
C25 Wing is about 3 ft. Some are suggesting moving to a 27ft but that's too much to go through for 2 ft. If we do this we're "doing" this and moving to one that we may take to the islands.
I know.... I know.... You can take a 27ft to the islands too but we want (don't need) more room if we do that.
For us, this next boat doesn't have to be our final boat but we want one similar to our "perfect" boat. (If there is such a thing).
Part of the fun is deciding on a boat. Catalina or not. We are looking at everything from Pacific Seacraft, Island Packet, Sabre (Also comes in a swing), Morgan, etc.... Our main criteria is "well made" to handle a blow. There are some shallow boats out there.
When it happens it happens. We still lean (heel) towards Catalina.
If you ground-out a wing, don't initially react to trying to kedge off!!
When we were buying our boat, the surveyor said that if you ground it, don't try and kedge off because you have "the world's biggest Danforth anchor down there"... If he hadn't said that, it would have never occurred to me because my first instinct would have been to try and kedge off as I had a C-30 fin keel for 10 years!!!
I think Irwin's are also swing keel and I believe they are popular in the Chesapeake.