1967 34' morgan vs. 1984 36' catalina

[The Garbone]

On the Bimini for the Morgan you can install it a bit more forward as to cover the companionway/ forward cockpit. On our C27 we had end boom sheeting and this worked pretty well except it blocked the view of the windex and main. One thing that was nice,we could leave the companionway boards open in the rain when at anchor with no worries of water getting in the cabin.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Scout 30]

With 4 people, especially 2 kids, size might be the most important thing to consider. The Catalina will do what you're looking for & I'll bet it's a lot roomier. Having a place for everyone to sleep is only half the battle. You need to be able to store a lot of stuff.

[kpse]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. So much to consider. I do feel like the Morgan is the sturdier boat but with as much time as we plan to spend on it I think the space of the Catalina may be best for us. Were going to make an offer on it.

Sent from my XT1080 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[bsurvey]

the morgan is a pig and way too old go with the catalina. they also have an association of boat owners and par6ts that are very pro active

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by bsurvey

the morgan is a pig and way too old go with the catalina. they also have an association of boat owners and par6ts that are very pro active

Please explain your reasons for claiming the Morgan is a pig.


Adelie

[jkindredpdx]

My neighbor has a 1980s Catalina 36 and my Boat is a 1974 35' HR, so not same as your situation, but some similarity. My 1974 HR is narrower and much less roomy than the Catalina... not a problem for two people, but it gets crowded fast with 4. My HR also has a skeg rudder and cutaway full length keel which it solid, but makes maneuverability more difficulty.

I got the impression your boys are young/small so either boat could work, but as they grow you're gonna want the extra space... unless they quit going and it's just you and your spouse. So maybe you buy either boat for less than $50k use it a few years and if it's not ideal trade up...

[BoatShowAvenue]

The Catalina sounds great to me, i know it's on top of your budget but choosing a boat is an important decision..I think the Catalina is the smart choice! But don't mind our opinions, it is about taste... if you like more the Morgan then go for it!

[dochip]

The Catalina factory is near where you live (you're in Tampa, correct?) Go visit and you can see how strongly they have been built. Folks there are a great resource.
I believe the newer boat will make you happier, both in upkeep and sailing ability.
I own a 2005 Catalina 350 and it will be my last boat. Newer boats incorporate newer design and technologies.
I love old boats (have owned and restored wooden boats, sailed a Falmouth cutter, owned a Bayfield 32C and more) but if you want room and safety go as new as you can afford.

That's assuming the surveyor agrees with me about what you're looking at.
Good luck!

[Scout 30]

Here's a couple more local boats you might want to check out.
https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/boa/4850783309.html
https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/4843534712.html

[123jashe]

My wife and I just spent a month shopping boats in FL. We had about the same criteria as you (FL coastal and Bahamas) and we chose a 1986 C36. We liked the roominess below and I particularly appreciated the ease of access to the engine. This has already proven usefull. The stock alternator mounting bracket on the m18 and m25 engines must be replaced with an upgrade, a fairly straightforward proposition on a Catalina but a nightmare on boats with typical restricted access. I strongly suggest you log onto catalina36dotorg and catalinadirectdotcom. both offer a wealth of information and parts for Catalinas.

[Scout 30]

I don't know if you've bought the Catalina yet but I found a couple more boats on Craigslist. The Pearson is newer & might be what you're looking for at a better price. I also posted a link to a Freedom 33. The price is a bit higher but it's a donated boat at a nonprofit so you might be able to negotiate way down. Very cool boat. The third is a classic Seafarer, probably not what you're looking for but might be worth checking out. The last one is a '93 Hunter. 3 boat owner so you might be able to low ball him & get in a much newer boat.


https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bod/4802310194.html


1982 Freedom Yacht Kat Ketch


https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/4857095849.html


https://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/boa/4899695289.html

[kpse]

The owner of the Catalina declined our offer. We are still thinking about it. We have to weigh the fact that it is at the top of our budget and then it needs some work done to it. Our offer reflected that work, but the owner left over a yr ago and moved to TX. I don't think he realizes the neglect the boat has suffered? He may be picturing it the way he left it? Idk. We just have to be patient. Scout 30 thank you for all the boats to look at!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by kpse

The owner of the Catalina declined our offer. We are still thinking about it. We have to weigh the fact that it is at the top of our budget and then it needs some work done to it. Our offer reflected that work, but the owner left over a yr ago and moved to TX. I don't think he realizes the neglect the boat has suffered? He may be picturing it the way he left it? Idk. We just have to be patient. Scout 30 thank you for all the boats to look at!

Be patient, he is probably paying storage which is just throwing away money.

[Ericson38]

Originally Posted by 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.

Sent from my XT1080 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

In 1988 our best friends on Long Beach bought a new Catalina 36, so it was still the original hull but had a the walk through transom with a slider plexiglass window you could slide in to close off the transome. After a month and at the first oil change, they noted some water in the bilge that they could not trace to a source on the boat (refrig condenstation...etc). They tightened down on the keel bolts and heard a snap. The bilge had a hair line crack between the bolts on one side, running between bolt holes. They pulled the boat, and Catalina dropped the keel. The factory had built up the keel stump with layers of plywood, and that was dug out, and replaced with solid glass layers, and the keel reattached, about a month later. Bilge problems never came back. They had more living space below than our early Ericson 38, but less storage and tankage. Engine was a 3 cylinder model in the Cat 36.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by kpse

The owner of the Catalina declined our offer. We are still thinking about it. We have to weigh the fact that it is at the top of our budget and then it needs some work done to it. Our offer reflected that work, but the owner left over a yr ago and moved to TX. I don't think he realizes the neglect the boat has suffered? He may be picturing it the way he left it? Idk. We just have to be patient. Scout 30 thank you for all the boats to look at!

....... and read the recent article/thread about the Cat trying to sail to Hawaii.....