What years were Hulls solid Glass with no core material?

[Figuringitallout]

I also posted this question in the mid size boat section but thought I would post it here since im also interested in a 34', 36' or 38 footer.
Just sold my cruiser and looking to buy a sail boat next.
With that said I learned alot on this last boat in regards to what I want and dont want in a boat (construction wise).

My questions is what year did the Catalina 34', 36' & 38' have a solid glass hull with no Balsa wood, Plywood or anything like that in the hull bellow the water line?

I googled it and read they were always solid glass since the beginning but then read a bunch of conflicting info that said there was Plywood somewhere down there.

 

[Hayden Watson]

I think what you might be referring to is plywood in the keel stub. The hull itself is solid glass but there is a plywood filler inside the hull in the bottom of the keel stub which is then glassed over. On the C30 this plywood was eliminated late 88 or early 89. mine is an early 88 and has the plywood filler but so far it has not given problems. Not sure about the other models but it is likely that they have the same issue and changed about the same time.

 

[Figuringitallout]

I think what you might be referring to is plywood in the keel stub. The hull itself is solid glass but there is a plywood filler inside the hull in the bottom of the keel stub which is then glassed over. On the C30 this plywood was eliminated late 88 or early 89. mine is an early 88 and has the plywood filler but so far it has not given problems. Not sure about the other models but it is likely that they have the same issue and changed about the same time.

Thank you for the reply
Yes that is exactly what I have read about thank you for clarifying where the plywood is in the boat.
Is the plywood im the keal something that could/would be inspected by a surveyor when the boat is hauled before the purchase?

 

[Hayden Watson]

It is something that would be good to know about a boat. Not sure if it can be assessed my a survey with certainty. If the boat has any water in the bildge you could not take a moisture meter reading. telltail signs that there is a problem. The anchor bolt washers will be pulled down into the glass or cupped indicating that the underlying wood is soft. Cracks in the glass around the washers. Upward bowing of the glass between the bolts indicating that the plywood has swelled from water saturation.
The only positive method to check the condition of the plywood is to drill a small exploratory hole into it to see if it comes up with yellow dry wood or black mush. After the test, the hole is refilled with epoxy. Not sure if the seller would allow that test.
One C30 owner that I know of documented the whole process of a very nice DIY repair and cost him $800 in materials and took a few weeks. Much more expensive if it is done by a yard.

 

[jeepbluetj]

There's lots more than just plywood in the keel stub if you're looking at 34'-38' Catalinas. The older 38 is not a Catalina design, it's a S&S designed racer-cruiser and has less usable interior volume than the Butler designed 36. They're all great boats though.

Engine selection should be a large consideration if one is looking at a 40 year old boat.

There are MKII versions of the 34 and 36 that are really good improvements from the MKI's, kind of paving the way to the 0 series (320, 380, etc)

 

[jviss]

There are MKII versions of the 34 and 36 that are really good improvements from the MKI's

Other than the transom design, what are the differences?

 

[Figuringitallout]

There's lots more than just plywood in the keel stub if you're looking at 34'-38' Catalinas. The older 38 is not a Catalina design, it's a S&S designed racer-cruiser and has less usable interior volume than the Butler designed 36. They're all great boats though.

Engine selection should be a large consideration if one is looking at a 40 year old boat.

I noticed that about the 38 interiors. The wife is not a fan of the 38' interior so I will be excluding those from my list unless I come across a crazy deal with one that has been fully restored. With that said I do really like the looks of the tumblehome on the 38s!

What should I be looking for engine wise on one of these?

 

[jeepbluetj]

Other than the transom design, what are the differences?

Transom, windows, cockpit layout, deck hardware, interior stuff, etc. They're newer. I was looking at a few 36s when I was looking and the MKIIs looked much better. Once SWMBO saw the 387 the 36s were no longer an option....

Engine? Condition mainly. The 34 and 36 will likely have the Universal M25 which is an excellent engine if it's been maintained. The 38 could be had with an atomic 4 which would be a consideration.

 

[Parsons]

Other than the transom design, what are the differences?

Didn’t you used to own one @jviss ? Thought you would know.

I believe the difference between the Catalina 36 mk 1 and 2 was the replacement of the stern with the sugar scoop swim platform and the full stern cabin rather than the pilot berth. Exterior hull form and performance were the same.

The tumble home on the c38, based on the antique IOR racing formula, made it killer for beam reaches but a sailing dog otherwise, if I remember correctly. All well built production boats, but I think the 34 and 36 were better all around cruisers and sailors. Btw, my c36 is solid 1inch glass below the waterline, and a Westebeke M35 (Universal tractor) engine.

 

[jviss]

Didn’t you used to own one @jviss ? Thought you would know.

I believe the difference between the Catalina 36 mk 1 and 2 was the replacement of the stern with the sugar scoop swim platform and the full stern cabin rather than the pilot berth. Exterior hull form and performance were the same.

The tumble home on the c38, based on the antique IOR racing formula, made it killer for beam reaches but a sailing dog otherwise, if I remember correctly. All well built production boats, but I think the 34 and 36 were better all around cruisers and sailors. Btw, my c36 is solid 1inch glass below the waterline, and a Westebeke M35 (Universal tractor) engine.

There was a full aft berth in the C36 Mk.I, not a pilot berth. I don't think it ever had a pilot berth. Mine was a 1984, hull number 240.