Messages

FYI, Dunn Wish'In is listed in the Owner Directory of Sailboatowners.com, but the registered owner had no posts on that website.  Also, C34IA is infinitely more informative and helpful than Sailboatowners.com

Thanks Randy!

[assume]

The mold for the C34 burned sometime around 1994? and I assume that Catalina resumed their numbering from the MK I's built to the new MKII !?!

Ron,

Wait. What???

Well, they accepted our offer with a closing on the 28th. Now to schedule the survey, fill out the paperwork, and write the check...

BTW - it looks like this is hull #1488. "Dun Wish'n". I don't see a lot of posts from any of the owners. Anyone know anything about this hull?

But don't let the excitement cloud your vision. Make sure to have it surveyed and checkout the "Critical upgrades" list on this site. Great reference for what's been done and what needs to be done.

Too late! People even said "Make sure you check out the critical upgrades" and I didn't. There's so much right with this boat that I let it cloud my judgement. It's in great condition inside and out. However there will be a survey and sea trial, so that will give me a chance to calm down and check it out. Still no response...

We saw another Mk.II, but it wasn't in as good condition and was initially priced higher. And that's about all there is where I am (unless I want to get something shipped)

Just made an offer on a 2000 C34 MkII. So nervous and so excited. Can't wait to hear back from the seller. This wait is agonizing!

The boats that we're looking at currently I think will work for us, especially since we have older teenagers. I can't imagine they'll want to go on cruises for much longer. It's odd, the 36 is only 1' longer and 0.5' wider than the 34, and its layout down below is worse for how we'd use it. We'd have to go to the C42 to get a real three cabin layout and that's just too big for us. Most of the older boats we're looking at come with upgrades, but also come with things that need to be done - so it seems like a bit of a wash.

The main salon table isn't generally a problem, it usually comes down how individuals like to use or modify them to personal taste. It's been my experience that you should buy as much boat as you can get even if you have to exceed your budget a bit, you'll be happier in the long run.

Another consideration would be how well the boat is equipped and upgraded. Some examples; dinghy+motor, generator, full set of boat covers, sails, etc. You'll pay a fraction of the price for these upgrades that come with the boat as opposed to buying them later.

Thanks Jim! We're docking in a slip and mostly day sailing in Long Island Sound currently. I'd like to do more cruising, which isn't really possible with the C28 we have now. We have a dinghy and had to upgrade it just to go up the river to get ice cream!

girmann,
Where do you plan on docking and sailing?  I agree, the best way to get equipment is when it's included with the boat you are buying.  IMHO a dinghy would make cruising with teenagers a lot better, for them and you.
Jim

Looking at moving up from a C28 to a C34. Seems to check all the right boxes and improves all the things that are no longer a fit for us in the 28. Two adults and two teenagers means that we need three real berths - assuming we can get the cabin table up and down (I've heard they can be a problem sometimes). Looking forward to the much better upwind performance (even if we get the WK).

We started looking at the 34 a couple of years ago, but now has the CFO approval, so it might actually happen. We're looking at MK 1.5s, since the Mk2's are just barely out of our price range. Though there's a couple MK2 1997's in NJ for ~60k. If we could get those to negotiate down a bit, we might be able to get into a Mk. 2.

Can't believe how much information is here and it's made it a lot easier to understand the strengths of the C34 and how to do just about everything to the boat. It feels like you can't get much more of a boat in a Catalina without going up to the 40.

Thanks Stu!

Still considering buying a C34 Mk II.

Does anyone know anything about this hull? I can't seem to find any mention of it here, or anywhere else on the internet. Hailing port is Bay Shore NY.

It's for sail, and I'm thinking about going to take a look at it. 2003 Catalina 34 MKII, std rig, wing keel. Haven't seen it in person yet, but I've seen other 34's from this seller and they price them to condition, so I'm guessing it's a good one.

Thanks Ron!

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

Which archived page? Did you mean for there to be a link?

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.