32' vs 36'?

quadrille38 · Sep 25, 2014

Well you ask a question that is as much about personal preference as it is boat characteristics. I've had an S2 22ft, O'Day 28, Catalina 34 and now a Hunter 38. Each boat had its pros and cons. But I will say straight up that the 38 is truly our preferred boat, although we did own the Catalina 34 for 17 years and absolutely loved it. My wife and I can handle it just fine and we find the larger size with its heavier displacement and longer water line gives us a much more enjoyable ride, handles a bit more weather than the smaller boats could, and has a faster hull speed by a couple of knots. I'd say that until you get into the 40 ft and upwards range the larger boats really are no more difficult to handle. Once you jump up above that you still get the ride benefit but It gets to be a lot more to handle. You will also find everything jumps up, dock lines get bigger, anchors heavier, gear beefier and consequently more expensive. Dockage (especially transient slips) are usually priced by the foot so bigger does add cost there. A lot will also depend on how the boats are equipped. Our Catalina had a Dutchman reefing system on the main and had a Genoa that was fairly big. The Dutchman did help manage the main. Our Hunter on the other hand has a furling main and jib. That coupled with Hunters large main and smaller headsail make sail handling so much easier. In fact that was our primary reason for going to the 38 and going with Hunter. We plan to sail until we are really old and this sail arrangement will allow us to do that. One last thing, getting things set up to make things easier is critical. We've purchased a product called "Line Caddy" that gets the dock lines up off the dock and out where we can reach them when coming in. We've got a long one mounted on the dock at the bow so both lines are right there means we can Dock without assistance

Stu Jackson · Sep 25, 2014

jimm22n said:
All,
My concern is this: is 36' too big to be our first real boat? I had a Catalina 25' a few years ago and was chicken to take it out alone but since she doesn't sail we will take a few ASA classes together so we'll feel more comfortable on the boat.

Good input from q88. We had a Catalina 25 for 12 years, I singlehanded it quite a lot. The move to the 34, which we've had for 16 years now, was NOT an issue. Learn how to use midship spring lines and it will all work out.

When it comes to boat choices, it is ALWAYS "your boat, your choice."

Pretty much what WE'VE done has little to do with what your choices will be. The gear on the boat, your comfort level in knowing and learning about boat SYSTEMS, ability to repair all of them by yourself for SAFETY, in my mind, are much more important than the size of the boat. Many of the contributors here have C310s and LOVE them. Others have much bigger boats. Prety much all of them have exactly the SAME systems: pumped fresh water, diesel engines, electrical systems (far more complex than your C25), heads and holding tanks, etc. Aft heads vs forward heads, size of gear on the boat and other issues, in addition to the condition of a used boat which will have all the extraneous gear you'll need vs. a new boat where you'd have to buy all the stuff, it all adds up.

Two other things:

1. Get INTO the space where you'll sleep. Really. I have no idea how big you are, but for example our C34 has the biggest V berth than any boat in its size class, bigger than a Catalina 36.

2. Do the dipstick check. If it's hard to get to, regardless of new or used, then it will not have been checked regularly, nor would you do so.

Good luck, happy hunting.

down_shift · Sep 26, 2014

Stu Jackson said:
1. Get INTO the space where you'll sleep. Really. I have no idea how big you are, but for example our C34 has the biggest V berth than any boat in its size class, bigger than a Catalina 36.

My wife and I quickly narrowed our search to the C34 M1.5 or the C36. Yes the V berth in the C34 is (slightly) larger, but not enough to rule out the C36 which has 2-3x the storage area(s), 1.5x the galley, and the dedicated nav station and chair (which is huge in my book). Being 6'-4", I can stand in the C36 vs. constantly keeling in the C34. We both sleep fine w/ 2 dogs no less in the C36 V berth. Very nice feature in the C34 is the solid teak door for the aft cabin. I want to make something similar (bi-parting teak doors) for the C36 here. The big issue for us was my wife wanted the walk-through transom and swim platform of the C34 M1.5 (MK2 was out of our price range as well as the C36 M1.5-2). So it was more about do we want the smaller boat with the swim platform or the larger boat without. Very happy finding a one owner C36 in better condition for about $14-18k less than the asking prices of a few C34 M1.5 that we saw. That is a LOT of money for a swim platform.
Good luck with your search. Enjoy the process.

jrowan · Sep 30, 2014

We have owned bigger boats like an O'Day35, & smaller ones. Most people work their way up the yacht ladder, buying what they can afford, & move up in size as their tastes change & their wallet grows (or shrinks after purchase!). You will gain confidence with experience. You can only know what is preferable by sailing these boats. Everyone's input is relative to what they prefer, usually what they currently own.
As far as big vs. smaller, the smaller boat will always be cheaper to maintain as the first post described well. The hardest part of sailing a big yacht is getting these beasts in & out of the slip at your dock. One trick I always use when sailing bigger boats is to dock the boat bow in, which is a lot easier to manage until you learn the characteristics of the prop. Ever boat has a different reaction to prop. walk in reverse. I also like to bring our boat in under neutral, using the forward momentum the boat naturally makes. That way when I turn into the slip 90 degrees from the fairway, it slows her down to a crawl, then just tap the boat in reverse to stop. Its a relief not to commit a Capt. Crunch at the dock! My 2 c.

Kings Gambit · Sep 30, 2014

jimm22n said:
All,

If you had to do it over again would you buy a bigger 36' older boat or a smaller 32' newer boat? I have a chance to get this one right & we'll buy either a Catalina or a Hunter next spring. I have a fiancée who will be on board with me and while I learned in small day sailors in the nineties she has not learned to sail yet.

My concern is this: is 36' too big to be our first real boat? I had a Catalina 25' a few years ago and was chicken to take it out alone but since she doesn't sail we will take a few ASA classes together so we'll feel more comfortable on the boat.

Other info: We want to do the Great Loop and Texas coastal sailing. We're in WINDY Corpus Christi. I think we will want a swim platform and wing keel. Other than that we'll sea. Just thinking out loud...

Thanks,
Jim

If this purchase is scheduled for "next Spring" you'd do well if you and your fiancée had completed a couple of weekend bareboat charters on yachts in that size range before then. Perhaps out of Kemah if there aren't any bareboat charters available in Corpus Christi. Buying a 32-ft or larger boat is a big commitment; one not easy to get out of if it doesn't work out as you hoped for. You should have 1st-hand knowledge/experience of your potential needs. My wife and I had been boating consistently for 15 yr b/f committing to the (38 ft) boat we now own. Purchase of our first "cruiser", a P30 (Pearson), was preceded by several charter adventures on 28-34 ft yachts in the area where we intended to sail.

Claygr · Oct 3, 2014

I think the answer to your question is that it depends on the particular boats you're comparing and your needs/desires. Generally speaking, I don't think a 36 foot boat is too big for your first boat. A bigger boat is generally going to be easier and more comfortable to sail in more extreme conditions, although a lot of that depends on the particular boat's characteristics. A bigger boat is generally going to be more difficult to operate under power if you have limited space in your marina. The cost and work will definitely increase substantially as the boat gets bigger.

My unsolicited opinion is to go take a look at a Catalina 34 Mark II with a wing keel. That will be a newer boat (1997 or newer) with a open transom/swim platform that is pretty heavy displacement for its size, a good engine with plenty of HP, great accomodations below, and a fantastic owner's association with tremendous support for a new boat owner. I think that is a boat that will meet or exceed all of your desires.

wufibugs · Oct 3, 2014

With all due respect, Jim, after having shopped for months before buying Windmistress, it is never just a call between bigger vs. older. No two boats are outfitted alike, none are in the same state of repair and no two are maintained exactly alike. All comments up to now are on target. But also ask yourself what you feel a boat should have and add that into the equation. Unless you are looking for a project, the one that meets your needs and is closest to turnkey may be the best option. BTW, if one buys the 36 over the 32, can that be expected to defer the onset of "4footitis" or will that set in after 12 months regardless?

Picflight · Oct 3, 2014

My opinion for your entry point situation: 32.

Stu Jackson · Oct 3, 2014

The interior of some 36 foot boats can be smaller than some 32 footers.