Looking to buy

[mjkuder]

I am looking at potentially making an offer on a mid '90s boat.  Appears to be sort of a mark 1 1/2.  The boat looks clean and shows well and a recent survey is clean as well.  Any thoughts or suggestions on this era?  Any areas to make sure are clean or problem free?  I am also considering looking at a 1990 C34.  Any thoughts or suggestions on either or both would be greatly appreciated.  I have found the resources on this site to be invaluable and have really focused my boat search on a C34 largely as a result of this site.  Thank you in advance.

[Craig Illman]

Since you've been perusing this wonderful forum and checked out the FAQ's and projects, you probably have a good idea of upgrades people have made. A few months back, in a Mainsheet article was a list of top ten or eleven upgrades. How many of these have been done on your candidates? Look through the projects list and make notes on things you and your first mate (or Admiral) would enjoy, then compare to your candidates. I looked at an 88, the cabin was in nice shape, it had an alternator upgrade, but I was put off by the fact that it needed a new dodger, running rigging and sails. It probably would have been a better value than the 91 I wound up purchasing. I wasn't prepared to shop for things that needed addressing right away before going into charter. As it was, I eventually wound up getting new sails and replacing the running rigging on my 91.

Get an engine survey besides the hull survey. The engine and transmission is a high replacement cost item that engine hours and appearance alone won't tell the whole story.

I'm sure others will pipe in with their comments.

Craig

[Joe and Carol]

   Visit with previous owner checking not only his list of what he did to and with the boat, what he didn't fix on the boat and what he thinks you should do to the boat.  The broker should let you contact the previous owner.  That communication can help you make a decision based on the recent history of the boat as well as the survey.

   Sea worthy first with safety to sail second.  A well kept and maintained Catalina 34 is a keeper.

   Good Luck!  Hope to welcome you soon to the Catalina 34 owner Fan Club!

[Jim Price]

My comment is directred toward the 1990 vs. mid-90s boat.  The main difference is in the stern (assuming your 1990 model in not one of the 1990 1/2 that has the walk-through transom).  I have a 1991 and the walk-through was the selling point over an older model.  So if the sterns are the same, then you are really down to comparing the engines models (later boats may have larger engines) but the rest of difference is nil.  From that point on, it is just a question of hull and rigging conditions, add-on features / electronics / heat air/ etc. and price. 

Good luck and do a lot research first.  This board is a great way to understand what ageing  / condition issues folks have addressed in the past.  Catalina 34's do not have a lot of "gottchas" like some other manufactures have.

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

A good survey is well worth the money.

Mike

[Stephen Butler]

We purchased a 1990 Mk 1-1/2, a few years ago...integral swim platform and walk-through stern railing.  If you can find one of these, suggest you give it some consideration....this was a "transition" design that has the advantage of easy access to the water from the stern, more storage than a Mk 2, theoretically more rigidity than a completely open transom, and on those dark and stormy nights, a greater sense of protection.  We have been very pleased with our purchase.  Just one guy's opinion.