Hi All, Thanks for your time in advance. I am beginning to narrow down my choice of a sailboat for purchase and I need comparisons or biased opinions. Which Hunter model would most reflect the Catalina 34. Use of boat will be mostly coastal crusising in southern california with 2 aboard. Being able to singlehand is important. Longest typical time on board-two weeks. Price range 50-70k. Where to find researc info for comparisons. Thanks
catalina 34 or which hunter
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Here's a start
I had decided to get a Catalina after a lot of research, but could not find a decent boatin my size at a decent price. Actually made an offer on one 34 in San Diego, which was turned down, and found my 1979 Hunter 37 cutter, a Cherubini design, which I love. For the coastal cruising you plan I believe either make, plus several others, would be fine. In your price range you will be looking at 20 year old boats. Here are a few considerations: -- Catalinas are considered good "in and out" boats, there are so many of them the market remains pretty good even in the used market. A good 34 might be hard to find in that price range, but it is possible. See the link below. -- Check out the Cherubini Hunters (79-85) from 34-37 ft. Usually you can find several on the market, and you usually get more boat for the same money. They are very solid and well designed. Again, use the link. -- Do an archive search on this website for lengthy discussions of pros and cons of these boats. -- Whatever you end up choosing, make sure to get a thorough survey. All old boats have problems, but you want them to be as small and as easily fixed as possible. Big ticket items to watch for are engine, rigging, hull (blisters or damage) and sail condition. --How handy are you? If you are really good, you can save a lot of money by doing a lot of work yourself. -- Be open to other boats as well: Irwin, Islander and many others have held up well for years and have their advocates. My opinion? IMHO You can get a lot more boat for the same or less money by getting a Cherubini Hunter. They are safe, sound boats well designed and sail reasonably fast, and easy to single or double hand. I'll bet you can find one for under $40k in the San Diego area, and a comparable Catalina 34 will run $20k or $30k more. That money will buy a lot of upgrades. Each brand of boat has its advocates. It'll be fun reading the other views. Next? Sanders
I had decided to get a Catalina after a lot of research, but could not find a decent boatin my size at a decent price. Actually made an offer on one 34 in San Diego, which was turned down, and found my 1979 Hunter 37 cutter, a Cherubini design, which I love. For the coastal cruising you plan I believe either make, plus several others, would be fine. In your price range you will be looking at 20 year old boats. Here are a few considerations: -- Catalinas are considered good "in and out" boats, there are so many of them the market remains pretty good even in the used market. A good 34 might be hard to find in that price range, but it is possible. See the link below. -- Check out the Cherubini Hunters (79-85) from 34-37 ft. Usually you can find several on the market, and you usually get more boat for the same money. They are very solid and well designed. Again, use the link. -- Do an archive search on this website for lengthy discussions of pros and cons of these boats. -- Whatever you end up choosing, make sure to get a thorough survey. All old boats have problems, but you want them to be as small and as easily fixed as possible. Big ticket items to watch for are engine, rigging, hull (blisters or damage) and sail condition. --How handy are you? If you are really good, you can save a lot of money by doing a lot of work yourself. -- Be open to other boats as well: Irwin, Islander and many others have held up well for years and have their advocates. My opinion? IMHO You can get a lot more boat for the same or less money by getting a Cherubini Hunter. They are safe, sound boats well designed and sail reasonably fast, and easy to single or double hand. I'll bet you can find one for under $40k in the San Diego area, and a comparable Catalina 34 will run $20k or $30k more. That money will buy a lot of upgrades. Each brand of boat has its advocates. It'll be fun reading the other views. Next? Sanders
If you want a tech comparsion
go to sailcalculator v2.72. I've owned a Cat 34T and found it to be a great boat and very competitive. The roominess, full size bed and large cockpit are what sold us. When it started to get a little tired,20 years old, I upgraded to a Hunter 376 which is basicly the same interior layout only done much better, big cockpit and easier to sail with the smaller jib. I doubt one of those will fall in the budget you've stated.
go to sailcalculator v2.72. I've owned a Cat 34T and found it to be a great boat and very competitive. The roominess, full size bed and large cockpit are what sold us. When it started to get a little tired,20 years old, I upgraded to a Hunter 376 which is basicly the same interior layout only done much better, big cockpit and easier to sail with the smaller jib. I doubt one of those will fall in the budget you've stated.
Check out the Hunters
We recently (sept/oct last year)went through the same process with similar criteria. We just couldn't find a Catalina 34 or 36 that was a good clean boat in our price range (same as yours) and ended up with a '91 Hunter 37.5 that we paid $72k for. It just seemed so much more boat for the money, and the surveyor was genuinely surprised at the quality. We have friends with a brand new Catalina 34 that was more than twice the price and I'd spend time on our boat any day. Good luck, but check out a Hunter 35.5 or 37.5 betwen 1991 and 1996. You will be surprised at what you get. Julian Machopekin, San Francisco
We recently (sept/oct last year)went through the same process with similar criteria. We just couldn't find a Catalina 34 or 36 that was a good clean boat in our price range (same as yours) and ended up with a '91 Hunter 37.5 that we paid $72k for. It just seemed so much more boat for the money, and the surveyor was genuinely surprised at the quality. We have friends with a brand new Catalina 34 that was more than twice the price and I'd spend time on our boat any day. Good luck, but check out a Hunter 35.5 or 37.5 betwen 1991 and 1996. You will be surprised at what you get. Julian Machopekin, San Francisco
Thanks
Thanks for the input. This will motivate me to do a little more research on Hunter. Also, curious to any comments concerning Beneteau?
Thanks for the input. This will motivate me to do a little more research on Hunter. Also, curious to any comments concerning Beneteau?
Recent Hunter is good too...
Last year, I purchased a '98 Hunter 340 in excellent condition for 70k in South California... This is a very roomy boat that really fits the ocndition around here ! Definitely a choice to consider. Laurent, Marina Del Rey.
Last year, I purchased a '98 Hunter 340 in excellent condition for 70k in South California... This is a very roomy boat that really fits the ocndition around here ! Definitely a choice to consider. Laurent, Marina Del Rey.
incomplete web site given
Maybe everyone knows about this site for boat comparisons, (I didn't give the complete info in apprevious reply). I find it quite interesting, it covers boats I didn't know exist. Go to: Sail Calculator Pro v2.72
Maybe everyone knows about this site for boat comparisons, (I didn't give the complete info in apprevious reply). I find it quite interesting, it covers boats I didn't know exist. Go to: Sail Calculator Pro v2.72
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