Cal 34 for Oregon to Central America

[juanacruz]

your opinion of an old Cal 34 in good shape but prob needing a good refit, She is in the water but I dont think she has been sailed toomuch .I dont like the lack of a bridge deck and prefer a full keel. but this boats got me twitterpated?? any advise? due to our budget I will spend the next 2 years on sailing exp. and refit . Thanks

[Tropicyachty]

Cals are great boats! A number of 34's have circumnavigated.

[zeehag]

friend of mine has one--he sailed it everywhere----is a fine boat for cruising---

[roverhi]

I seriously looked at the Cal 34 and 36. The boats are more than adequatly strong for what you intend. The large windows in the cabin should have some form of shutter protection if you are going way offshore and additional drains added for the cockpit which is too large. Unfortunately, too large a cockpit is an almost universal affliction for boats in this price range and availability. One thing I REALLY liked about the Cal boats is you can find them with a wheel. A tiller is the only way to go especially if you are plainning on using a pendulum servo self steering vane like a Monitor. IMHO, a vane is the only way to go and that means a tiller for it to be really effective in light air. I'm stuck with a wheel on my current boat and hating every minute of it.

Aloha
Peter O.

[juanacruz]

Thanks for the help guys we spent about 3 hrs toay going over every nook and cranny on the boat and the only thing that had me worried was that at some point the cabin top and bulkheads leaked at the chainplates, ie. finish ply on bulkhead is bubbled, but where the bulkheads are tabbed to the cabin is still solid. so for now no leaks, before we go too far I'd prob want to fix or reinforce the area. but boat was dry and simple pretty much stock which I think is good to fit out as i want. yeah theese boats have a solid feel.. thanks again