Not often we get the chance down under in Western Australia to view a Catalina 36 MKII. The Mandurah (70 KS South of Perth)boat show was on this past weekend and a two year old 36MKII was on display. Bloody nice yacht. Seems very well built with nice hull lines. What may be of interest to you all is that the 36 Bavaria is cheaper (by about $18,000aus) than the Catalina. Certainly the woodwork in the Bavaria is outstanding but it is more sailing that we are interested! The sail drive concerns me a little. Any thoughts?
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R
Ralph
Saildrive Experience
I had a 1983 Najad with a Volvo saildrive which I purchased new and just recently put into trade for a new Catalina. My experience with the saildrive was largely positive but there were 2 areas of concern. First, there is a rubber seal that requires replacement every 5 years or so(according to Volvo). Problem is I could never find a yard familiar with this job. This may be changing due to the ever larger number of saildrives on the market. Second, since the drive unit is made of aluminum corrosion is a constant worry. For me this was not too much of a problem because the boat was normally at a mooring, however, shortly after I traded the boat the new owners experienced 1 of the 2 folding blades of the prop breaking off (the blades were attached to a solid piece of aluminum which had corroded and broke apart). This saildrive was 18 years old (though very well maintained and hauled every winter). I would not rule out a boat because it has a saildrive but I would ensure that yards in your cruising locales are familiar with them for servicing (especially the seal)and if the boat is used I would carefully inspect the lower unit for any sign of corrosion.
I had a 1983 Najad with a Volvo saildrive which I purchased new and just recently put into trade for a new Catalina. My experience with the saildrive was largely positive but there were 2 areas of concern. First, there is a rubber seal that requires replacement every 5 years or so(according to Volvo). Problem is I could never find a yard familiar with this job. This may be changing due to the ever larger number of saildrives on the market. Second, since the drive unit is made of aluminum corrosion is a constant worry. For me this was not too much of a problem because the boat was normally at a mooring, however, shortly after I traded the boat the new owners experienced 1 of the 2 folding blades of the prop breaking off (the blades were attached to a solid piece of aluminum which had corroded and broke apart). This saildrive was 18 years old (though very well maintained and hauled every winter). I would not rule out a boat because it has a saildrive but I would ensure that yards in your cruising locales are familiar with them for servicing (especially the seal)and if the boat is used I would carefully inspect the lower unit for any sign of corrosion.
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Tom
Wow how can a Bavaria be cheaper than the Catalina
of the same size and the same year (Unless one has a lot more goodies like electronics or sails, etc). In the US, the bavarias are typically more expensive foot for foot but very nice boats, but I like some features of the C36MKII more. (Salon, Galley, Pushpit seats, etc)
of the same size and the same year (Unless one has a lot more goodies like electronics or sails, etc). In the US, the bavarias are typically more expensive foot for foot but very nice boats, but I like some features of the C36MKII more. (Salon, Galley, Pushpit seats, etc)
M
Mark
Yes Tom
Tom I had always thought the same however there were the two yachts with price lists with almost identical equipment level. So it makes you wonder that our dollar may be better than we thought.
Tom I had always thought the same however there were the two yachts with price lists with almost identical equipment level. So it makes you wonder that our dollar may be better than we thought.
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Tom
Yes, Now is the time to buy European boats
If you'd like to own one. It looks like the exhange rates are favorable.
If you'd like to own one. It looks like the exhange rates are favorable.
A
Andy
Bavaria .. Wow what a boat
Don't get me wrong.. I love the Catalina 350 and have a great time sailing it.. But.. did you folks see the Bavaria product line? The 41? the 46? very fine workmanship on what appears to be a ship that is going to give Beneteau a run for their money.. Wow.. Do we agree??
Don't get me wrong.. I love the Catalina 350 and have a great time sailing it.. But.. did you folks see the Bavaria product line? The 41? the 46? very fine workmanship on what appears to be a ship that is going to give Beneteau a run for their money.. Wow.. Do we agree??
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paul ruhe
Bavaria - catalina
As the $ is relative high for us, you can buy a boat cheap(?) in Europe. Bavaria 36 from $ 85.000 (1 $=1 euro now). Bavaria has the best price/quality rate at the moment in Europe and is comparable with Catalina (large series building). So buy your boat in europe as I bought my Catalina 36 in 1995 in Florida. You only have to change the standards (230 V, etc)
As the $ is relative high for us, you can buy a boat cheap(?) in Europe. Bavaria 36 from $ 85.000 (1 $=1 euro now). Bavaria has the best price/quality rate at the moment in Europe and is comparable with Catalina (large series building). So buy your boat in europe as I bought my Catalina 36 in 1995 in Florida. You only have to change the standards (230 V, etc)
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paul ruhe
Bavaria - catalina
As the $ is relative high for us, you can buy a boat cheap(?) in Europe. Bavaria 36 from $ 85.000 (1 $=1 euro now). Bavaria has the best price/quality rate at the moment in Europe and is comparable with Catalina (large series building). So buy your boat in europe as I bought my Catalina 36 in 1995 in Florida. You only have to change the standards (230 V, etc)
As the $ is relative high for us, you can buy a boat cheap(?) in Europe. Bavaria 36 from $ 85.000 (1 $=1 euro now). Bavaria has the best price/quality rate at the moment in Europe and is comparable with Catalina (large series building). So buy your boat in europe as I bought my Catalina 36 in 1995 in Florida. You only have to change the standards (230 V, etc)
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