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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Don't buy that C30! C34 Review

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/16/2008 : 10:18:28

Spent Saturday as racing crew on a 1985 C34 in San Diego Bay. I really loved the boat. Here is a "right sized" vessel for extended coastal cruising.

There is an aft cabin where our quarter berth is - with a closing door, looked plenty big enough for comfortable sleeping. Just forward of that is a real galley with 2 burner stove on gimbals plus oven. This is in a proper L shaped space with sink, counter top and overhead storage just forward. On this boat they had a microwave up there. Opposite the aft cabin is a walk in head with shower facilities (the kind where you sit on the toilet and shower). There is a very large salon with seating for about 6. I didn't get into the V berth but it looks ample.

On deck there are nice wide side decks with plenty of room to work. Large 2 speed winches are not a luxury on this boat! Forward on the bow you'll find a real anchor windlass.

Traveller, vang, all the controls were well thought out and on this boat everything was run aft. You'll need to winch the mainsheet in a blow.

We had winds over 15 and probably 20 gusting higher. This was a Catalina day as these boats are not light air sleds. The boat is stiff, and sails well. Higher caliber racing boats were outpointing us but we passed many on upwind legs. We were very well matched in speed with Cat 36s.

We were racing non-spin, took a 1st and a 2nd to place first overall in the 2 race event.

I wish I got to go outside the bay and test this boat in big waves. I know they raced the Cat 36s in the San Diego NOODs which had 12 foot seas and 30 knots plus of wind and the Cats did well. I have every reason to believe that the C34 would perform in rough conditions.

Saturday would have been a great day for a reef and a 135 but we dumped main and carried the 155 all day. I saw some boats going spin have full knockdowns.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 12:08:05

I agree on the accommodations--spent two nights in that aft stateroom--very comfortable guest room. That boat had a centerline double with a real mattress in the forepeak--nothing Sten would approve of, but nice for coastal cruising with overnights in quiet anchorages or marinas.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 13:37:01

How many more $ will I have to put out for the 34 VS 30?

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 14:47:39

There was a great article in Sailing magazine this month on the new Catalina 375 which is replacing the 36. Nice!

Of note is the inclusion of vertical battens in the main, which has standard in-mast furling. A nice additon over Hunter which, as far as I know, is still offering battenless mains in their in mast furling system.

Edited by - aeckhart on 06/16/2008 14:51:59

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 15:03:31

I've often thought that if we lived in a spot with a year-round slip that the C34 would be a great choice. Thanks for the reports!

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 15:07:12

Quote: "nothing Sten would approve of, but nice for coastal cruising with overnights in quiet anchorages or marinas."

Too funny, really! Jim called it right to begin with when he rightly called it a "right sized vessel for extended coastal cruising." I just think that folks who think that they are gonna cross oceans or do really extended cruising will want and need something a little beefier overall.

Again, Catalina has made some really good yachts for what most buyers use them for. BTW - Sail magazine just ran an article titled "why 50 is the new 40." Large 2 speed winches and the windlass are reasons why in the mid eighties they made better boats in that size range than they do now - again in my own opinion. Nothing wrong with comfort though. We joke that Lysistrata is just a big studio apartment. Read no privacy if you have guests. But that is how racing boats were made back then...

sten

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 17:45:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 There was a great article in Sailing magazine this month on the new Catalina 375 which is replacing the 36. Nice!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I saw the 375 at my Dana Point Boat show couple weeks ago. I want one! Cost $230k but fully loaded. They also had the 350 for $30K less. I thought the 375 was beautifully set up and easy for solo.
Steve A

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 00:23:06

I forgot to mention - a nav center with a real chart table!

A quick look on Yachtworld shows you can get a C30 for about 15 - $30K and a C34 for about $50 - 60K.

Still, if I was condsidering a C30 Mk II for $45K and could get a well-equipped 1980s vintage C34 for the same coin, I'd go for the C34 in a heartbeat. A great boat for a family.

I'm sure its just a matter of time before I crew on the C36s in the club - stay tuned.

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 07:11:26

Jim,
These comments are very instructive. Thank you. I too (like many here) am thinking about the next boat. I went up 9' before (from Capri 16 to C25) so why not another 9'to C34?

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 10:04:49

Go for it - we jumped from the C250 three years ago to a 1989 C36.
PROS: much more room and comfort. Less need to reef earlier, handles larger seas more comfortably, love the diesel over the OB. Real head, stove , oven, storage, A/C
CONS: increased slip fees, more complicated systems, more maintenance - waxing, painting and washing.

Edited by - on

Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 12:14:07

I think in a year or so I'll be ready to bite the bullet and upgrade to a C30. My wife and I both love to sail and the 25 is really great, but more and more she wants to take friends out overnight. Four people overnight in the C25 can get a bit cramped. The C30 looks to me like the best bang for the buck. It's not a whole lot larger, but it's big enough to make landlubbers more comfortable.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 12:30:11

Not sure how it would stack up as I am not yet in the market, but I always loved the way teh C38 looks and all reports are that it sails equally well. -- But, I'm not at that make the dream a reality stage . . . yet

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 13:36:14

I have not sailed on a C38 yet but I took a real close look at one. While the windows are unmistakable Catalina, the lines are so different it is really a different boat than anything else.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 13:48:17

The C38 was originally designed by Sparkman & Stevens -- Catalina bought the molds from a defunct west coast mfg in the late 70's and Frank Butler modified the deck and below to make it more "Catalina". Supposedly for years the C38 was THE boat to beat on the offshore racing circuit. Today they are still considered highly competitive but are primarily a cruising design. Pristine used ones sell for @$45k on the east coast.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 19:03:23

I saw a C38 in St. Augustine with a family of 4, a dog and a cat aboard. It is a true S&S design and I was shocked to see that it was a Catalina. Great lines. Now there is a catalina to lust after.

sten

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 19:05:58

OH, but no windlass and like most catalina's just 40 feet of chain.... I just don't get that part, sorry...

sten

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 19:28:36

Couldn't you just add a windlass if you wanted one? I was looking at a 1999 38', it is described as having an extra large anchor locker, double anchor roller. Electric windlass added recently.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 20:06:09

One of our club members has a new 309. He got the in mast main hung up and had a heck of a time getting it fixed.

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 21:33:46

I don't mind hauling up 40' of chain with a heavy anchor on the end, I need the exercise. But seriously, it sounds like the 38 is a nice option, not that much more expensive than the 30, both used of course. I really love my C25 and I've had it now for about 20 years, but it wouldn't break my heart to have a little bit of extra room.

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