Well after years of looking for a
boat I have purchased a
CAL 34. This is my first
boat and I went to the yard looking at a LaFitte 44, never thought I would end up with this little
CAL. I have read through all the short comings and opinions on these boats, there seem to be many happy owners out there but others who are concerned how it can be possible to get a boat of this size, in good condition for such a low cost. I was hesitant as well, but my boat is solid, no
leaks, no rusted
hull beam as seen on some, solid bulk heads, polished chainplates rebuilt
engine, decent
rigging and
sails, having all been replaced in the last ten years, matching
dodger,
Bimini and rail covers, custom
teak rub rail (never seen another cal 34 with one), everything practically turn key for coastal cruising.
Could use some cosmetics and newer
electronics, but when I am all said and done I will have a very capable boat for less than 30k, a little over a 1/3 of what I was planning to spend.
I am a DIYer and that is one of the things that attracted me to this boat. I always buy distressed items and
repair as a way of saving
money, and not loosing when its time to sell. just being new to sailing I was not sure where the limits of my fix-er-upper abilities would be. This little boat gives me all the
canvas needed to
experiment and not having to stress too much about financial issues.
So now I am getting into the fun of playing with this CAL. I woudl love to see more details on these hence I started my own thread
Mine has already been customized a good deal, an extra counter was added to the
galley making it U shaped and the port table is now fixed in place with an L shaped dinette. Really makes the
salon more usable than the pics I have seen of the standard configuration. Now I am just working through refinishing all the exterior
teak and
interior mahogany, as well as laying a sole instead of just the plain
fiberglass one currently. Nu-teak is looking like a good solution there. I am going to pull all of the
ports and hatches, bead blast them and possibly
power coat or polish, ( I think they are
aluminum ) ... All my
cushions have been redone and match the
canvas but I may cover them again with something less plain than a
sold color. Got a canvas shop adding a full enclosure to the
Bimini so I will be ready for some
winter sailing. All and all I am very excited,
What say you other Cal owners or those who are not afraid to do restore
work themselves ? Seems I am following the path of a few in marina who have continually, restored, resold and upgraded,
buying more expensive boats as the confidence in
repair ability and knowing what to look for increases.