I haven't done any serious sailing for about 30 years. At that time it was an O'Day 20 on a lake. During the last 30 years, many things have changed, companies coming and going, new sailing hardware, etc. In a few years I will be retiring. I WILL be getting back into sailing. It appears to me that the best boat for me is a Catalina, but, i'm not sure if I should start looking at/for 34s or 36s. The marinas around here are locked at the dock so I can't browse around the docks. I don't know anyone who sails, much less have a Catalina 34 or 36. So, my question is; what, besides the obvious size and measurments, is different between the 34 and 36. What does the 36 bring to the table that the 34 does not? On either boat, does the quarter berth extend from hull to hull? Is the dinnette table sturdy enough for two people (about 350 pounds total)? We plan to do extensive sailing in the Fl area, based between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Travel will be up and down the ICW, and to the islands around Fl and Carribian. I've looked at hundereds of ads on line with pictures, but I still do not have a real feel for what I want. If there is anyone that has a Catalina 34 or 36 at Lake Lewisville, or Ray Hubbard who would like to show me around and a possible sail, I would love it. Thanks. Dave Solly dsolly@verizon.net
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Inland Sailing Center
Dave, You might want to go and see the folks at Inland Sailing on Lake Ray Hubbard. I dropped by one afternoon when down in the Dallas area and found them to be very helpful and willing to talk and show me all kinds of boats. They are also a Catalina dealer. I ended up buying my C30 through them and was very pleased with their service. Good luck and fair winds, Jim
Dave, You might want to go and see the folks at Inland Sailing on Lake Ray Hubbard. I dropped by one afternoon when down in the Dallas area and found them to be very helpful and willing to talk and show me all kinds of boats. They are also a Catalina dealer. I ended up buying my C30 through them and was very pleased with their service. Good luck and fair winds, Jim
Thanks Jim
I have been down there, but all they had were two new boats (a 30 and 380?). The lady was very friendly and helped me get up to date somewhat, but when she found out I wasn't in the market for another couple of years, they weren't really interested in showing me their new boats. At the time, they didn't have a 30 on broakerage, nor a 34 or 36. I'm looking for a 20 year boat. Can't afford a new one. Wife said we have to have a house (darn
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I have been down there, but all they had were two new boats (a 30 and 380?). The lady was very friendly and helped me get up to date somewhat, but when she found out I wasn't in the market for another couple of years, they weren't really interested in showing me their new boats. At the time, they didn't have a 30 on broakerage, nor a 34 or 36. I'm looking for a 20 year boat. Can't afford a new one. Wife said we have to have a house (darn
.Local Sunday Paper
Dave, Check in your local Sunday paper for Boat listings. Also, Check in you local yellow pages for dealers to look at. I bet if you go to your local marinas and ask the owner/manager to show you around you could get some access to those boats. If you do, stop and chat with some of the skippers. All of us want to show off our boats. Generally a larger boat will handle a little bit better and bring a margin of safty over the smaller boat. I have a C320 but never managed to go sailing on a 34/36. Best of luck to you. Paul
Dave, Check in your local Sunday paper for Boat listings. Also, Check in you local yellow pages for dealers to look at. I bet if you go to your local marinas and ask the owner/manager to show you around you could get some access to those boats. If you do, stop and chat with some of the skippers. All of us want to show off our boats. Generally a larger boat will handle a little bit better and bring a margin of safty over the smaller boat. I have a C320 but never managed to go sailing on a 34/36. Best of luck to you. Paul
Shows
Start looking at going to the boat shows. Its the best wayto get a feel. Catalina doesn't change all that much soeven if you go used the new boat shows will give you a good fee.l
Start looking at going to the boat shows. Its the best wayto get a feel. Catalina doesn't change all that much soeven if you go used the new boat shows will give you a good fee.l
320
If you are dead set on a Catalina you probably should take a look at the 320 as well as their 34 and 36. The 320 would probably be easier to handle and still has a nice cabin. Hunter's brand new 31 is also looks to be a pretty nice boat. By the way, my first sailboat was a 1973 O'Day 20. Welcome back to sailing regardless of which boat you settle on.
If you are dead set on a Catalina you probably should take a look at the 320 as well as their 34 and 36. The 320 would probably be easier to handle and still has a nice cabin. Hunter's brand new 31 is also looks to be a pretty nice boat. By the way, my first sailboat was a 1973 O'Day 20. Welcome back to sailing regardless of which boat you settle on.
Ads
Like Steve, I have a C320. Great boat with lots of room. Check here for used boats: www.yachtworld.com www.catalinaowners.com www.boatus.com www.ablboats.com www.boats.com www.sailboatlistings.com/
Like Steve, I have a C320. Great boat with lots of room. Check here for used boats: www.yachtworld.com www.catalinaowners.com www.boatus.com www.ablboats.com www.boats.com www.sailboatlistings.com/
Dallas Boat Show
Dave, It's been a while since I've been to the Dallas boat show but last time I was there several sail boats were on display. You may want to check it out. Jim
Dave, It's been a while since I've been to the Dallas boat show but last time I was there several sail boats were on display. You may want to check it out. Jim
If you want to understand the layouts
go to their websites. www.c34.org www,catalina36.org Look at the Brouchure sections of each website. The boats have almost exactly the same systems. One is a bit longer than the other and they have completely different layouts. The C34 is said to have the largest V berth in the industry. Try both V berths yourself. Good luck, good choices. Stu
go to their websites. www.c34.org www,catalina36.org Look at the Brouchure sections of each website. The boats have almost exactly the same systems. One is a bit longer than the other and they have completely different layouts. The C34 is said to have the largest V berth in the industry. Try both V berths yourself. Good luck, good choices. Stu
34/36
Before we purchased our 320 we looked at the 36 and the 34, also. For our use, lake sailing, the 320 is great. For your intended use, I would go with the 36.
Before we purchased our 320 we looked at the 36 and the 34, also. For our use, lake sailing, the 320 is great. For your intended use, I would go with the 36.
34 or 36?
Before we purchased our 320, we went through the same process starting with the 36, then the 34. For our purpose, lake sailing, the 320 is great. Lots of room for its size. For your intended purpose, I would look seriously at the 36. It's a great boat.
Before we purchased our 320, we went through the same process starting with the 36, then the 34. For our purpose, lake sailing, the 320 is great. Lots of room for its size. For your intended purpose, I would look seriously at the 36. It's a great boat.
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