I'm still a few years away from upgrade-time, but can't help looking.. As kids get older I really like the look and layout of the catalina 34 (mk1), seems pretty perfect for our needs. I like the aft head, the separate cabin with 2x kids (ages probably 5-11+ during our ownership). Big galley and head/shower, dinette table. Design just seems very clever, for lack of a better word. Use primarily on the Chesapeake, but I also dream of some (shorter) offshore trips in the future; e.g. cape may - rhode island (~2 days). Delmarva. Maybe one day bermuda.. I don't love switching boats so would prefer to get one that can comfortably/safely do this, even if it remains a dream for a while. But I also want to enjoy the chessie so no 7 ft draft or minimum 15kt wind boat. Basically want something that can handle somewhat rought conditions (30+ kts?), but nothing crazy. This would be vacation trips, maybe few weeks at a time tops (not capital C cruising..)
Now I do like the look and details of Ericson's, and they are supposedly "more solidly built", though how (or even if true) is not quite clear. Ericson 32 -3 and the 35-3 do look good. The older Sabre 34 also a boat I've looked at, again supposedly has the ill-defined "solid" characteristic.. Unfortunate all these don't have quite a nice a layout as the C34, IMO. Sabre also costs more for older/smaller. Ericson's about same or less than C34, but (except the rare E34-2) just a quarter berth. From what I've seen especially ericsons was about the same market/quality as catalina? Hence why I'm confused when people say they are more solid.. Sabre slightly more "luxury". (oh and there are way more C34's, so easier to find)
Is there any appreciable difference in how a catalina 34 would do under conditions expected here vs ericson or a sabre? Will stuff shake loose in waves, or is that just scaremongering? Will the others be any better quality? Does that even matter after 30 years? I read some mention of upgrading rigging on a C34-II for bermuda trip. I realize this crowd might be biased, but that's why I'm asking; hopefully reasoned responses from experience.
I keep going in circles; like the C34 layout, like the look of Ericson, want something "solid", how solid do I need?, etcetc *headspin. help! ...
Thanks.
Now I do like the look and details of Ericson's, and they are supposedly "more solidly built", though how (or even if true) is not quite clear. Ericson 32 -3 and the 35-3 do look good. The older Sabre 34 also a boat I've looked at, again supposedly has the ill-defined "solid" characteristic.. Unfortunate all these don't have quite a nice a layout as the C34, IMO. Sabre also costs more for older/smaller. Ericson's about same or less than C34, but (except the rare E34-2) just a quarter berth. From what I've seen especially ericsons was about the same market/quality as catalina? Hence why I'm confused when people say they are more solid.. Sabre slightly more "luxury". (oh and there are way more C34's, so easier to find)
Is there any appreciable difference in how a catalina 34 would do under conditions expected here vs ericson or a sabre? Will stuff shake loose in waves, or is that just scaremongering? Will the others be any better quality? Does that even matter after 30 years? I read some mention of upgrading rigging on a C34-II for bermuda trip. I realize this crowd might be biased, but that's why I'm asking; hopefully reasoned responses from experience.
I keep going in circles; like the C34 layout, like the look of Ericson, want something "solid", how solid do I need?, etcetc *headspin. help! ...
Thanks.
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