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sv JoyRide · 19-09-2014, 21:10

I'm a current Catalina owner (although larger than your target - 40 ft). I love our boat - it's fast, solid, very comfortable - perfect for our needs.

That said, though, I couldn't live aboard as you've said you want to do. There's just not enough storage. (Granted, that will depend on the model you're looking at, the number of cabins, etc). Our boat is great for long weekend or week trips. But having to stash extra stuff in the forward cabin for a week is different from living aboard forever. (My wife drools over other boats with copious storage lockers!)

Your situation will be specific to you though. My suggestion: Look at lots of different boats in your price range - you might find one that you hadn't considered. And when you are looking, in addition to looking at the general "sailboat" things (gear, upkeep, etc) be sure to watch for:
A decent amount of storage (in general and in the galley)
A decent sized, comfortable head (nothing gets older than having to stoop when peeing!)
Good sized tankage (for water and holding) - don't want to have to fill/empty all the time
Heating/Cooling - need to keep it comfortable inside when it's extreme outside
Canvas (dodger/Bimini) - shade in the cockpit makes it more usable

I'm sure I've forgotten some things, but if I were going to live aboard, I'd want a boat that was livable in addition to being great fun to sail.

Bret

Bret
s/v JoyRide, Catalina 400

JTSmith · 21-09-2014, 19:47

Since I started this ridiculous thread, I thought i'd post an update. I've been in Florida for five days now and looked at half a dozen boats. Got another half dozen to look at. Right now, only two have made my loins tingly and they are both Catalinas. A 36 and a 34. Looking at a Hunter 40 tomorrow. Also an Endeavour 37.

Let you all know where i am tomorrow.

smackdaddy · 21-09-2014, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTSmith

Since I started this ridiculous thread, I thought i'd post an update. I've been in Florida for five days now and looked at half a dozen boats. Got another half dozen to look at. Right now, only two have made my loins tingly and they are both Catalinas. A 36 and a 34. Looking at a Hunter 40 tomorrow. Also an Endeavour 37.

Let you all know where i am tomorrow.

Go for the tingly loins. Always the best call.

bensolomon · 22-09-2014, 08:44

I would second going with tingly loins.

avb3 · 22-09-2014, 09:01

Yup, everything else being equal, the tingly thing is the one to go for.

Stu Jackson · 22-09-2014, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTSmith

Since I started this ridiculous thread, I thought i'd post an update. I've been in Florida for five days now and looked at half a dozen boats. Got another half dozen to look at. Right now, only two have made my loins tingly and they are both Catalinas. A 36 and a 34. Looking at a Hunter 40 tomorrow. Also an Endeavour 37.

Let you all know where i am tomorrow.

Here's some C34 info for you:

Main Message Board

and

Catalina 34 - C34

and

C34 FAQ Main Page

Good luck.

JK n Smitty · 22-09-2014, 10:29

One piece of advice I would give you is if you are new to sailboats and are planning to be a DIYer, don't discount the importance of a strong owners group.

As Stu has pointed out, the C34 owners group is large and well organized. The benefit of this is that you most likely one be the first person to try to do a specific project. With a good owners group you will have photos, write up and advice.

I am very glad that the model Catalina I purchased has a very strong owners group. It has made many problems much less stressful to tackle on my own.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

RTB · 22-09-2014, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTSmith

Let you all know where i am tomorrow.

So, any luck today? Be careful with that tingly thing. It can get you into trouble....Just like with women, you may like the "package", but the hidden secrets can be a problem down the road. In other words, don't ignore certain issues just because you are in love with that particular boat.

Ralph

**Jim Cate** · 22-09-2014, 20:19

When you board a prospective purchase and get that tingly feeling, do be sure that you are not standing in a puddle of bilge water with bad wiring passing through it.

Tingles ain't always a good thing!

Jim

Blue Crab · 23-09-2014, 04:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTB

So, any luck today? Be careful with that tingly thing. It can get you into trouble....Just like with women, you may like the "package", but the hidden secrets can be a problem down the road. In other words, don't ignore certain issues just because you are in love with that particular boat. Ralph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no9fpKVXxCc

smackdaddy · 23-09-2014, 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTB

Be careful with that tingly thing. It can get you into trouble....

Virtually all of my best weekends start with tingly loins...and a Hunter.

bensolomon · 23-09-2014, 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no9fpKVXxCc

That's funny stuff!!!

**a64pilot** · 23-09-2014, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK n Smitty

And this is the bottom line. Because when we do see boat catastrophes it is typically due to these issues. I pointed to that on the Cheeki Rafiki with the rust staining on the boats. And this was a response:

No! You should not sail a boat with rust stains at critical areas like standing rigging, keel bolts, hull joint bolts, etc. Especially not offshore. This is a sign of a poorly maintained boat. And it doesn't matter who made the boat. Rusted rigging on an Oyster is just as much of a problem as rusted rigging on a Hunter.

Most of these boats were built for cruising. Ask the manufacturer to be sure. If they are maintained well they will perform fine. Other more expensive boats may perform better under sail but may be less comfortable to live on while your not sailing. You won't die simply because you take a production boat offshore. Plenty of people have already proven that.

I just came back into this thread, so tell me without pulling the keel, how could the keel bolts be inspected for rust stains? How often should you pull a keel to inspect for rust? How old was Cheeki Rafiki?

Island Time O25 · 23-09-2014, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I just came back into this thread, so tell me without pulling the keel, how could the keel bolts be inspected for rust stains? How often should you pull a keel to inspect for rust? How old was Cheeki Rafiki?

I believe there was an article in either CW or Sail, I forget which, about a year or so ago just on that question, with the pics and procedure steps of the actual removal and re-install. The expert there recommended once every 5-7 years if the boat is to be used offshore 24/7 and every 7-10 yrs or longer if used seasonally with annual haulouts. Not being an expert I personally think that anytime the keel joint "smile" is more than a foot or two and/or more than a hairline crack one would be wise to unbolt the keel and check for the reasons. They may be as simple as fatigued bedding compound or as dangerous as the rusted and beginning to fail keel bolts or a combination of both.