We are looking at wing keel Catalinas that can fit four adults and we're looking at the c34 as one of the options. We're upgrading from the "larger on the inside than the outside" c28. Are we barking up the wrong tree?
Needs:
- Large cockpit for entertaining while under sail (6 adults)
- Wing Keel (we want to stay in the same slip (5' draft, max)
- Single handing possible
- Wheel steering so guests can "sail"
- Practical storage (cockpit and galley)
- three sleeping areas
- Sitting area and bench (for the dog, of course!)
I realize asking this of c34 owners is a little biased, but there is a distinct lack of decent boats in my area right now. The choice is to wait until one becomes available or look at something else.
G man
I am not a c34 owner so I am COMPLETELY without bias. Ha!
We chartered a 34 with another couple for a week and the accommodations were perfect (so long as you're not used to a suite in Trimp Tower.). It's a GREAT all-around boat with best of all great support from owners. You're at the right tree or fire hydrant (if pooch is a male.)
On the cruise we entertained 2-3 others who were along with a trawler. Enough space so long as weather permits entertaining on (in?) the sunroom.
Personal likes and requirements differ, but IIWMD, I personally wouldn't hesitate owning an in-good-condition C34.
Ken
'84 C30 #3573
PS there is NEVER enough storage on any boat, but I've found ways to augment the OEM on the 30 with not a ton of money into the mods.
The boat meets all your criteria. We like ours, have had her since 1998, almost 20 years. I'm somewhat biased.
As we've mentioned here and on other boating forums, if you find a boat you like, then the next step (after checking the condition, considering an offer, doing the survey and all that "buying" stuff), is to see if there is a good owners association website so you can avoid reinventing the wheel.
You've come to the right place. :D
I agree meets all points, except 6 guests (and the dog) in the cockpit on the Mark 1 is a bit "cozy".
Quote from: Noah on April 13, 2018, 10:50:42 AM
I agree meets all points, except 6 guests (and the dog) in the cockpit on the Mark 1 is a bit "cozy".
Believe it or not, the dog is okay with being down below under sail. I was looking at the Mk1.5 and MkIIs cockpits and they look like they can fit a ton of people. I'm not sure if there are any options for a larger cockpit without looking at boats that are way out of my price range. Thanks for the feedback.
I have to say, I thought the C28 IA had a good handle on the technical aspects of the boat. HOLY COW! It's like drinking from a firehose in here!
Quote from: Stu Jackson on April 13, 2018, 10:03:16 AM
The boat meets all your criteria. We like ours, have had her since 1998, almost 20 years. I'm somewhat biased.
As we've mentioned here and on other boating forums, if you find a boat you like, then the next step (after checking the condition, considering an offer, doing the survey and all that "buying" stuff), is to see if there is a good owners association website so you can avoid reinventing the wheel.
You've come to the right place. :D
The C34 basically meets your requirements (we had a C34 MkII), depending on what your expectations are, but you probably have that already in mind. Three sleeps areas if you count the dinette area. I grew up on a Grampian 26 with a family of five, but it was like camping on the water. So when we had 6 on the 34, no problem from my perspective. but it was a bit more like "camping" again. Don't have a dog. My kids are animal enough, LOL.
We found the cockpit plenty big enough, and the storage adequate for our needs. The wing keel is amazing, allowing us to get into anchorages that few other boats our size could get into. Yep, she was a good boat.
You're welcome.
You may also be interested in this archived page, for a couple of reasons.
First, the top two topics are about looking for and why we chose our boats.
Second, the list itself shows the beginnings of what turned out to be this very website. It started out with static pages, then we got the forum software and then we started the wiki. We're very good at keeping track of good ideas and fixes.
Happy hunting, hope to see you back.
Which archived page? Did you mean for there to be a link?
Quote from: Stu Jackson on April 13, 2018, 12:45:12 PM
You're welcome.
You may also be interested in this archived page, for a couple of reasons.
First, the top two topics are about looking for and why we chose our boats.
Second, the list itself shows the beginnings of what turned out to be this very website. It started out with static pages, then we got the forum software and then we started the wiki. We're very good at keeping track of good ideas and fixes.
Happy hunting, hope to see you back.
Stu
No links
Are these the ones you talk about?
http://c34.org/history/
http://c34.org/wikiwp/?rdp_we_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fc34.org%2Fwiki%2Findex.php%3Ftitle%3DMaintenence_tips_from_a_new_owner
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7323.0.html
http://c34.org/wikiwp/?rdp_we_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fc34.org%2Fwiki%2Findex.php%3Ftitle%3DHistory
http://c34.org/wikiwp/?rdp_we_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fc34.org%2Fwiki%2Findex.php%3Ftitle%3DEvolution_of_the_Catalina_34
gri : Needs:
Large cockpit for entertaining while under sail (6 adults) The C34 will hold 6 adults, but you'll find that's about 2 toooo many - under sail!!
Wing Keel (we want to stay in the same slip (5' draft, max) The C34 wing draws about 4'6" when loaded
Single handing possible No problem - if you have an auto pilot and lazy jacks/in the mast furling
Wheel steering so guests can "sail" Even "Guests" will need some amount of training
Practical storage (cockpit and galley) Great storage for the long weekend!!
three sleeping areas If mixed adults are using all three sleeping areas, I'll guarantee that after a long weekend you won't be talking to each other anymore - unless they are all guys!!
Sitting area and bench (for the dog, of course!) "I've found that older dogs don't like to have a boat heeling and their paw pads are hard so they lend to slip/slide
A few of my thoughts
Thanks Ron!
Quote from: Ron Hill on April 13, 2018, 04:55:10 PM
gri : Needs:
Large cockpit for entertaining while under sail (6 adults) The C34 will hold 6 adults, but you'll find that's about 2 toooo many - under sail!!
Wing Keel (we want to stay in the same slip (5' draft, max) The C34 wing draws about 4'6" when loaded
Single handing possible No problem - if you have an auto pilot and lazy jacks/in the mast furling
Wheel steering so guests can "sail" Even "Guests" will need some amount of training
Practical storage (cockpit and galley) Great storage for the long weekend!!
three sleeping areas If mixed adults are using all three sleeping areas, I'll guarantee that after a long weekend you won't be talking to each other anymore - unless they are all guys!!
Sitting area and bench (for the dog, of course!) "I've found that older dogs don't like to have a boat heeling and their paw pads are hard so they lend to slip/slide
A few of my thoughts
Quote from: Ron Hill on April 13, 2018, 04:55:10 PM
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Practical storage (cockpit and galley) Great storage for the long weekend!!
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More than just a long weekend. We took a six week cruise in 2016 bringing the boat from SF to BC. Lots of room behind those seat back cushions. Plus the clever galley storage improvements many of us have made to add shelves to the nav station hanging locker.
C34s have sailed from Canada to the Bahamas and back, Vancouver to Mexico, to Hawaii and and across the Pacific. Haven't heard of anyone going thirsty or hungry. :D
For me 4 plus me in the cockpit while sailing is the max. More than that and lines get trapped people feel in the way so can't relax and enjoy.
OEM provided storage is limited, however there are many places where glassing in a few simple bulkheads / partitions will result in good storage.
The boat is easy to handle and surprisingly nimble for a 34+ foot keel sailboat.
Systems are fairly straightforward, and this owners forum and the active members is incredible.
No boat is perfect. Be careful of opinions you get on various boats. Check things out for yourself. I've found most people don't know what they are talking about. Example - a person told me a Catalina 34 wasn't a seaworthy boat because of the "giant companionway". I walked him over to a Hans Christian 33, pointed to the companionway which is comparable to ours and said "so you're telling me this boat isn't seaworthy either?".
Good luck.
If we have more than 4 adults with us I make sure people rotate through the stern perch seats, some folks like them so much they spend the whole sail there. It can feel crowded, but it is doable. You can also plan your sail with a minimum of tacks/gybes to make sail handling easier. Also make sure all the "cruising" gear is stowed in the car rather than under the cockpit seat. Long weekend with wife and 3 girl friends only problem was the size of the holding tank :cry4` All boats are a compromise, I personally like the looks of the Mk1s, but the Mk IIs definitely have a bigger cockpit with basically the same layout.
I agree with most of the comments. My 2cents is that with the MKll or any of the models with the perch seats, sailing with 6 in the cockpit is doable. I've had more for a sunset/booze cruise. Of course for a race or windy sail, that would be a crowd IMHO There are few sailboats with a larger or more comfortable cockpit.
Jim
I second all the earlier comments, and our MK II is fine with six in the cockpit, especially with the perches, which are the best seats in the house. One caution with respect to single-handing is that the mainsheet and traveler controls are on the cabin, so if you single-hand a lot, you might want to adjust their fittings. I recall there are some threads on the forum about single-handing.
I looked at a lot of comparable boats before choosing the C34 a few years ago, and this seemed the optimal mix of sailing performance, space, sensible layout and seaworthiness. One other factor is the availability of virtually every replacement part on the boat. Check out Catalina Direct: Catalina Yachts is in it for the long run.
Quote from: Steve_in_lex on April 14, 2018, 10:21:20 AM>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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One caution with respect to single-handing is that the mainsheet and traveler controls are on the cabin, so if you single-hand a lot, you might want to adjust their fittings. I recall there are some threads on the forum about single-handing.>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Here are some links to those threads:
Docking 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6379.0.html [includes a link in Reply #1 to a very good single handed topic]
Single Handing 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.0.html
Single Handing 101.1 Midship Cleats Pictures http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4921.0.html
Single Handing 101.2 HOPPING OFF THE BOAT IS UNNECESSARY
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5445.msg33766.html#msg33766
Some skippers have modified their traveler and mainsheet lines, many of us haven't 'cuz using the autopilot allows one to run the boat from ahead of the wheel, rather than "being a slave behind the wheel."
Your boat, your choice. :D
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We have one perch seat on our Mark I. Works great. I received it as a gift from Al Watson, former owner of hull #55,
Kindred Spirit, now owned by Dave Commando. It's on the port side. He made it for us after he visited us from the east coast and sailed on SF Bay with us. He only made one 'cuz he knew we had our BBQ and dinghy outboard and lift on starboard. Even ONE perch seat makes a difference, and they are extremely easy to build.
Here's one with a lot of pictures:
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4804.0.html
G : All of my comments are for C34 "loaded" with people. Like Stu said he took a long trip with 2 people as I did with my 1st Mate. I speak from experience going south to Key West, Florida from the Chesapeake and lived on my 1988 C34 for just over 8 months before returning back to Virginia!!
My thought
I have a mk II and have frequently had six or seven people out for a day sail. The 'captain's perch' seats over the transom really make it work. Two people fit there, totally out of the way, and one at the wheel. No matter where the other three might sit Murphy's law kicks into play . . . someone is occupying the space where someone else needs access to a winch, locker, etc. But it really does all work out pretty well.
When I bought my boat it was kind of a leap of faith that I was making a good choice. After a month of getting to know her I realized how fortunate I was with my choice! Yes we owners might be a little prejudiced regarding our boats, but it is because our boats have met our needs so well.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
We are looking at wing keel Catalinas that can fit four adults and we're looking at the c34 as one of the options. We're upgrading from the "larger on the inside than the outside" c28. Are we barking up the wrong tree?
Needs:
- Large cockpit for entertaining while under sail (6 adults)
Yes, six is doable in the cockpit but not for anything longer than a day sail.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
- Wing Keel (we want to stay in the same slip (5' draft, max)
If you only have 5' in a slip, you should look for a deeper slip. 6" just not enough margin in my opinion.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
Yes, I do it all the time. Autopilot and lazy-jacks would help.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
- Wheel steering so guests can "sail"
Would be difficult to find one without it.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
- Practical storage (cockpit and galley)
Never enough storage but that's universal.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
V-berth, Salon area, and aft "captains quarters" are the three areas. Aft captains quarters is called the "garage" by many owners so unlikely to be used as a sleeping area unless you don't mind clearing out all your stuff.
Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
- Sitting area and bench (for the dog, of course!)
When my son brings his dog he's happy anywhere. Get a portable vac to clean up all the hair (he's a lab).
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Quote from: girmann on April 13, 2018, 07:34:29 AM
I realize asking this of c34 owners is a little biased, but there is a distinct lack of decent boats in my area right now. The choice is to wait until one becomes available or look at something else.
You might consider posting in the boats for sale section of this board that you are in the market for one. Good luck.
We have a 2000 MKII and love it. Most times it is 2 to 4 of us very comfortable In the cockpit, but at raft-ups we have had up to 10. It is tight but as Stu said no one ever goes hungry or thirsty. We have figured out where to put the wine cellar and bar plus lots of gear and food storage.
These comments are for the C34 Mk II.
- Large cockpit for entertaining while under sail (6 adults)
You can sail six comfortably, but preferably on long tacks and not sweating performance too much. You won't be doing a lot of fine trimming. We have had NINE (3 were surprise guests. Yay.) and it wasn't totally unpleasant, but I wouldn't do it again.
- Wing Keel (we want to stay in the same slip (5' draft, max)
Can't speak to this one.
- Single handing possible
Easy. In fact easier than my 30. As others have mentioned, an autopilot helps greatly.
- Wheel steering so guests can "sail"
Don't all 34s have wheel steering?
- Practical storage (cockpit and galley)
There's adequate storage for two of us for a couple of weeks, but we need to provision and store carefully. There's a relatively huge underutilized space under the V-berth that several of us have converted to storage.
- three sleeping areas
For a night, maybe. Drinks six, feeds four, ... you know. One large caveat is that the C34's (at least the Mk II) holding tank is fairly miniscule. Six people will fill it up very quickly, so if you're not somewhere with ready access to a pumpout or open ocean you'll be in trouble.
- Sitting area and bench (for the dog, of course!)
Of course!
We love our C34, so yes in a sense you're asking the wrong audience. We're prejudiced but for good reason. Sails well, plenty of room and storage for two to take longish (~2 wk) trips, cavernous V-berth, very comfortable and great for entertaining, easy accessibility for maintenance and repair, and an amazing and helpful online community.
One thing not mentioned is what the C34 is used for....she sails very well. She can take a blow and you won't feel overwhelmed. You have confidence because you have a lot of lead under you and a sturdy hull. Compared to other boats with similar size, the C34 has more ballast and is not so tippy. Yes there can be more storage, tankage, etc... but it's a great sailing boat, and she's not so bad looking either :thumb: