C&C 34' vs. Morgan 30/2- What would you do?

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Oct 14, 2011
11
C&C 34 Chicago
Hello! I am looking for a new rig and am stuck between a 1973 Morgan 30/2 and a 1978 C&C 34'. The C&C is more expensive, but I think they are both relatively well priced. I am looking for a good cruiser that I can casually race on the weekends here in Lake Michigan. I would alos like to singlehand the vessel on day trips, and weekenders.

So, my question to the forum: What would you do? Any thoughts our comments are welcome and greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Chris
 

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
I'd go with the C&C because its much newer and when you decide to sell it won't be as old
 
Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
Not so much newer. They are both antiques. 30 footer will be cheaper slips, cheaper haul out launch, cheaper sails etc.
 

Ted

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Jan 26, 2005
1,271
C&C 110 Bay Shore, Long Island, NY
C&C 34 vs Morgan 30/2-What would you do?

Both boats can be single handed. It all depends on how they are set up and the ability of the skipper. Only you can make that call. As far as construction, C&C's in general have a very good reputation for having built quality boats. If maintained properly over the years, they hold up better than many newer presently made production boats. I'm a bit biased towards C&C's but don't particularly like the 34 as it was designed under the IOR rules. IOR boats tend to be a little squirrelly downwind. The C&C 34 will be faster and will have more room than the Morgan 30. C&C's were designed as racer/cruisers with an emphasis on performance. There is about a 30 second per mile PHRF speed advantage favoring the C&C. Having sailed many C&C models (24, 25, 27, 29. 30. & 35) I can personally attest to the high build quality and beautiful sailing characteristics of these boats. No personal experience with Morgan's. I would personally try to purchase a boat with a diesel but great deals can be had for gas models. Good luck with your search.
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
You are better off with a larger boat for cruising. It equates to more room and faster passages (longer water line).

Check each boat very good and think of what you really intend to do with them. Either one could easily be single handed. Look at the rigging on the boats, the sails, the engine, and the other crucial stuff that costs the most money to replace.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,704
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
C&C went through some bad years and I am not sure when those are. At any rate, i have seen a number of C&Cs with structural problems and wet decks. Two boats I know of had to repair stringers and another two had wet decks. Another had to beef up the forward flanks on the hull as that area was flexxing. I'm not so sure about the good reputation of C&C.

On the other hand, I have not heard of problems with older Morgans.

Just sayin'
 
Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
I have to say I am with Ted on this but I too have a bias towards the C&C. I think they are great boats (genereally speaking) that do a great job in the performance cruiser/racer category. Any boat can be single handed depending on how you set it up (all control lines led aft, autopilot etc).

Let us know what you decide!
 
Jun 9, 2008
1,792
- -- -Bayfield
The Charley Morgan designed Morgan 30 is a well built boat and sails ok, but nothing like the C&C 34. The C&C 34 definitely has more interior space and I am sure more tankage for water, fuel and holding tank supplies, which would be important if you are going sailing for longer periods of time. The Morgan would be an easier boat to handle with one or two people regardless of how much gear you put on the C&C to make it more user friendly. It simply is a bigger boat with larger everything. Sails will cost more, dockage will cost more, storage will cost more and maintenance will cost more (just because of its size). You might be prepared to pay for this as anyone would have to in a larger boat, but I am just laying it out so you think about all this stuff. For racing, the C&C would be faster and would require more crew to race her than the Morgan. It is all relative. Depends on who you are racing against. The Morgan might fit into the fleet you wish to race in, but generally it is considered to be more of a cruising boat as it has a shoal keel with centerboard, etc. The deeper keel of the C&C will mean it can point higher and sail faster on all points of sail due to the higher aspect rig, sail area, longer waterline, etc. The C&C is also cored in the hull, I believe, which means it is lighter per boat size and hence faster, but you should have the hull inspected for moisture to make sure it is sound (same with deck). You really aren't comparing apples with apples, but I am addressing the two boats anyway. For single handling the Morgan will be much easier to sail. So, figger where your priorities really lie and then make a decision. If you like Morgan....their racing models in the early years were the Morgan 33T and the Morgan 36T and later the Nelsen Marek designed Morgan 36 and 45. They all had fin keels, a nicer underbody and boats that were designed more for performance. Hope this helps.
 
Jun 2, 2007
404
Beneteau First 375 Slidell, LA
BB, I think the Morgan 30/2 is a different boat than what you described. It is a quirky-looking cruiser racer with a fin keel. I do think the C&C is far away the better boat IF the hull core is sound. You are correct, this really needs to be checked out on a boat that old (that likely was raced hard).
 

BarryL

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May 21, 2004
1,058
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hey,

I crew on an early 80's C&C 34. It sails very well and goes upwind particularly well. It also has decent accommodations down below.

I know nothing about the Morgan so I can't help you there.

Good luck,
barry
 
Oct 14, 2011
11
C&C 34 Chicago
Thank you everyone for your feedback...I went and saw the C&C today and the moisture readings below waterline were high all around...however, I believe this is primarily due to the fact that it was recently removed to the water, and the previous owner did a very poor paint job, which has seemed to retain some moisture in the layers (I noticed this when I peeled a few old layer off)

Ill keep you posted as I continue my search, thanks again!
 
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