Hi, I was sent here from cruisersforum for o'day specific info and it seems like you guys do have a lot of it. I'm in the initial stages of purchasing a 34 - just spent a couple hours poking around it today and am doing some research to see what sort of stuff I'm facing before I make an offer. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you folks can answer...
It's the 'deep' keel and there's a definitive seam showing the joint. The boat is on the hard and there's no streaking showing tho there is some generalized patchy rust showing thru the almost disintegrated bottom paint. The keel bolts look pretty good - a light patina of rust but not that crusty stuff of real corrosion; more discoloration. Current owner has never adjusted them and hauls it yearly for winterizing and reports no movement during that process. That said, as I was searching around here I found this post - Opinion on Keel Crack - and am wondering if I should prioritize dropping the keel to get a good look and smoosh in some fresh 5200. Ideas or recommendations?
The shallow chain locker is kind of odd and I'm wondering how you guys have dealt with it. My initial thoughts are to eventually cut into the deeper section that exists in the V berth that other boats (like my old Catalina) would've already used for the anchor locker, glass it up, reinforce it and (hopefully) put in a windlass. Any known issues with this plan?
I think I'll need new sails sooner than later. Are there standard sizes out there that can be purchased for the 34? I know a lot of Catalina models have 'generic, standard' sails that can be ordered for some models, but they obviously made a buttload of those boats.
Finally, can I have a recommendation for an autopilot?
Thanks for any info,
Joe
It's the 'deep' keel and there's a definitive seam showing the joint. The boat is on the hard and there's no streaking showing tho there is some generalized patchy rust showing thru the almost disintegrated bottom paint. The keel bolts look pretty good - a light patina of rust but not that crusty stuff of real corrosion; more discoloration. Current owner has never adjusted them and hauls it yearly for winterizing and reports no movement during that process. That said, as I was searching around here I found this post - Opinion on Keel Crack - and am wondering if I should prioritize dropping the keel to get a good look and smoosh in some fresh 5200. Ideas or recommendations?
The shallow chain locker is kind of odd and I'm wondering how you guys have dealt with it. My initial thoughts are to eventually cut into the deeper section that exists in the V berth that other boats (like my old Catalina) would've already used for the anchor locker, glass it up, reinforce it and (hopefully) put in a windlass. Any known issues with this plan?
I think I'll need new sails sooner than later. Are there standard sizes out there that can be purchased for the 34? I know a lot of Catalina models have 'generic, standard' sails that can be ordered for some models, but they obviously made a buttload of those boats.
Finally, can I have a recommendation for an autopilot?
Thanks for any info,
Joe
Last edited:
