34' boat with aft cabin

[Tmacmi]

We've been searching for "the next boat" for a bit. One of the fundamentals of consideration is that it has to comfortably occupy another couple in relative privacy for a long weekend of cruising.

I want a boat that is right at 34' in order to limit costs.

The cost needs to be under $40K

For a while I had focused on boats that had a V-berth with a door and a drop down table that converts into a large full size bed.

There's a long list of contenders like that; notably Sabre 34's.

Recently I stumbled on the Catalina 34 which has a truly private rear cabin. I will confess that I had previously turned up my nose at production boats, but the one we toured was very nice and the true rear cabin with a closing door really got me interested

Am I missing any other boats that have true private rear cabins that should be on my list to consider?

The Sabre 34 Targa is a lovely boat, but they are going for the mid 60's

Is there any feedback regarding the Catalina as a Lake Michigan cruiser? Other than the infamous smile are there any particular recurring defects to be aware of?

Thank you

[rslifkin]

There are plenty of well-liked Catalinas here on Lake Ontario. They definitely seem to be on the better end of the spectrum for a production sailboat. And like any boat, being a production model isn't a bad thing as long as it's sturdy enough for your needs and it's a design you like.

[gonesail]

there are 34' center cockpit boats out there with real rear cabins

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by gonesail

there are 34' center cockpit boats out there with real rear cabins

Can you point out a couple of names? I know of the S2 11c, but its just over the size I'm trying to adhere to.

A quick google also pointed out the Grampian, however I really want to keep to a sloop rig to reduce maintenance.

[tweitz]

My Beneteau 323 has a private rear cabin and a v berth. I am pretty sure the other Beneteaus of similar size (311, 331) also had them.

[azul_b]

My 2005 Bene 343 has super king bed under cockpit and v-birth used a day bed ( wife reading while I sail) or guests. Huge bathroom also. Just like 323 only bigger.

[Tmacmi]

Originally Posted by tweitz

My Beneteau 323 has a private rear cabin and a v berth. I am pretty sure the other Beneteaus of similar size (311, 331) also had them.

My wife and I love those boats. However they are a budget buster. They are in the $50k plus range.

$40k is even a stretch.

[sandy stone]

If you can find one (that's the tricky part) the Beneteau 345 is a really nice boat.

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Can you point out a couple of names?

there's a nice one made in Australia but I can't remember the name. Moody 346. Hallberg Rassy 35. O'Day 32.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by gonesail

there's a nice one made in Australia but I can't remember the name. Moody 346. Hallberg Rassy 35. O'Day 32.

Nantucket Island 33

[radsailor]

Allmand 35 has great interior layout with private forward and aft cabins. Doesn't sail very well, but very comfortable

[captmikem]

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/...167122054.html

15K probably get it for 10

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Tmacmi

Can you point out a couple of names? I know of the S2 11c, but its just over the size I'm trying to adhere to.

A quick google also pointed out the Grampian, however I really want to keep to a sloop rig to reduce maintenance.

I owned a Grampian 34 ketch with a real aft cabin. It was no more expensive to maintain than a sloop.

[skipmac]

I owned a very nice center cockpit aft cabin made in Finland called the Lohi 34. Very well built, roomy aft cabin and excellent sailor. Not many made it to the US but they're around.

I think they were actually a 10 meter length so have seen them listed as 33' or even 32' so just google Lohi.

[dadster3]

I may be over-generalizing here, but I think most boats with center cockpit will have an aft cabin. There was a 26' British-built boat that I was interested in some years ago that had an aft cabin. Can't remember the name of it, but it was hyphenated. Sturdily built apparently as they have made Atlantic crossings.