1967 34' morgan vs. 1984 36' catalina

[kpse]

Hello,

We are a family of four and have been looking for a sailboat for a few months now. We thought it would be easy...
We want to live aboard and sail one week a month until December 2015 and then we want to go on a 2-3 month cruise (bvi's)
We've found two boats that are in our budget ...
the 1967 34' morgan is priced below our budget and seems to be a super solid boat with two 1/4 berths for our boys... but it doesn't have a stove..or a bimini...and i don't think we can put a bimini on it unless it's remasted? living on it would be cramped but doable.
the 36' catalina is at the top of our budget and feels super spacious. the boys wouldn't have their own 1/4 berths but they would have one large "cave" with seperated sleeping areas... the boat has been neglected for about a year but for the most part everthing needed seems cosmetic?
I'm just looking for thoughts of experienced sailors on the pros and cons of each boat. I appreciate any feedback.
thank you
kristine

[boatman61]

Go for the Catalina..

[onestepcsy37]

Go for the Morgan.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by kpse

Hello,

..or a bimini...and i don't think we can put a bimini on it unless it's remasted?

Based on this statement alone you need to gain some first hand experience and familiarity with sailing and sailboats before you make any decisions. Perhaps a friend or acquaintance can get you on the water. Barring that a day charter with an instructor or captain can impart some basic knowledge and wisdom gained through experience.

[kpse]

I'm not sure why that statement would make you think we haven't been on the water. We are asa certified and have chartered boats several times out of Tampa bay. Yes we are still newbies and need tons more experience but we have never owned a boat. I was just throwing out some different tidbits about the boats.

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[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by kpse

I'm not sure why that statement would make you think we haven't been on the water. We are asa certified and have chartered boats several times out of Tampa bay. Yes we are still newbies and need tons more experience but we have never owned a boat. I was just throwing out some different tidbits about the boats.

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Because it's hard to figure how a bimini would require a new mast..... I assume you meant the boom would interfere due to being too low?


For the limited cruising you spoke of, the Catalina would do it if in good condition. You probably like the more modern Cat layout and ergonomics?


The Morgan is a stronger boat and forgiving with long keel and protected rudder, but age creeps into the discussion for sure. It can take a lot of work to ensure an old boat is up to the task.
Of course the Cat could need a lot of work also, anything over 10 years old probably will. You don't say how old.


Major things that need to be inspected and possibly renewed:
Sails, rigging, chainplates, engine, shaft, packing gland, rudder, rudder shaft, fuel tanks, water tanks, refrigeration,

[kpse]

Yes that is what I meant.

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[onestepcsy37]

If you're thinking Florida and the Near Bahamas, go with the Catalina. It's rugged enough for that kind of trip - where you are pretty much daysailing and can wait for weather - and much roomier. There will be days when it's raining and you will be stuck inside and you will definitely appreciate having the roomier interior.

[Cheechako]

She's talking down island also....
Unless extremely well cared for, the Morgan is getting very old 1967...so it may need ALOT of work.
OTOH, a Cat can need to hurry home from a simple hard grounding and keel or rudder issues.... possible, not necessarily likely.
There are a lot of other boats... I wouldn't jump at either necessarily...

[kpse]

We do like the layout and roominess of the Catalina. Its an 84'.
The Morgan is not as spacious but is solid fiberglass and the ballast is bronze. All the rigging is original but appears to be in good shape. I just wanted to put it out there to experienced sailors to see if there is any major/notable pros or con's to each boat. We've read about the Catalina smile etc. Thanks for your thoughts.

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[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by kpse

and the ballast is bronze.

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This and the Bimini comment led me to believe you were inexperienced. I apologize.

[kpse]

We are inexperienced but since all of my comments are so stupid to you it'd probably be better if you just stayed out of my thread.

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[roverhi]

The Morgan is a center boarder so shallow draft which is a nice to have feature for cruising the Bahamas. It is undoubtedly better built than the Catalina. Age is a matter of what is going to need replacing. You don't mention the age of the Catalina but assume it's pushing 20 years old. The engine may be older than the one on the Morgan and starting to need major work. Rigging is relatively cheap to replace if you do it yourself and both boats may be in need replacing as recommendations are to replace at 10-15 years in saltwater. Same goes for sails and running rigging possibly needing replacement. The Catalina could be more beat than the Morgan if the maintenance has been kept up. The Catalina is more of a commodity item with a ton of them out there so fairly easy to determine a value. The Morgan has a limited upper value because of it's age and design.

Basically it's a question of your budget, condition of the boats, and whether the room of the C36 will justify the higher price.

I have a soft spot for the old CCA designs. Used to race against the Morgans in a Chance 30/30. They'd eat us up on a reach and hold their own with the chute up.

[kpse]

Thank you roverhi do you know what would be involved in putting a Bimini on the Morgan if the boom is too low?

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[roverhi]

Don't know how low the boom on the Morgan is but wouldn't think that it would be low enough to exclude a bimini. If it is too low, sliding goose necks for controlling mainsail luff tension were pretty much universal for boats of that era. If that's the case, all you'd need to do to raise the boom is push the gooseneck to the top of the track and drill and tap a suitable sized bolt into the track to hold it there. Have a cringle installed in the main for a Cunningham and use that to set luff tension. Shouldn't cost more than a $100-$200 to do that including tackle for the Cunningham.