I have never sailed a C34, they do have a nice layout below.

I just guess that Stu Jackson may have some input here.

Something that I like and noticed with our 36 over a friends 34 is the 36 has a 4 cylinder diesel and seems to run smoother then the 34 I was on. The 34 was a 1987 3cylinder diesel and our 36 is a 1990. The diesel thump was not as prevalent on the 36.

Also have noticed it seems to ride better in larger waves but that may be do to all the things we have loaded on board.

Randy

Steve, PK posted the same question "you-know-where" and got a lot of replies, certainly 10X the ones here. Go over and look. [url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4991.0.html[/url]

Seems there's some merit in your recent discussions here about email Lists compared to message boards. We "keep" all our message board stuff, it's searchable, and still there after all these years. You guys do a great job too, it's just the daily discussion methodology that's different.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for our family the C-36 was hands down the winner.

The C-34 felt much smaller inside, and the layout of the C-36 was voted better than the C-34. We liked not having the mast in the middle of the cabin.

Note, both of these are mark I boats we're comparing.

most boat brokers advertise in either yachtworld.com or sailboatlistings.com

Farallone yacht brokers has a 1990 C36mk1.5 for sale right now, and when we were looking, we extended our search to the Los Angeles area as well, as sailing the boat up was only going to add about 2-3k to the price and there are a LOT more for sale in LA.

Before you get serious on any boat, before a full survey is done, I'd recommend doing an engine survey, as it saved us a LOT of money on one of the C-36's down in Long Beach

Also, there's a huge Catalina get-together in Richmond this Sat, perhaps you can come down and get on some boats to compare them?

Regards,

Eric Silva

PK,
I would venture a guess that most owners of a C34 or a C36 compared both models before they bought what they currently own. I know I did. When my wife and I were shopping, the impression we came away with was that the layout of the 34 empasized the VBerth and aft cabin, while the layout of the 36 emphasized the main salon. Not huge differences, but enough that we both came to the same conclusion. The main salon seemed roomier. Since we planned to spend more time in the cockpit and the main salon than in either aft or forward cabin, we chose the 36. We also fell in love with the game table on the 36. Both of our daughters have played hundreds of games on the game table (Imagine that!?!), and it has expanded the seating for meals without anyone eating off their laps. I've only sailed on a 34 once, and I remember it feeling very much like my 36. Either way, you get a great boat. We've owned ours for 18 years. Hope this helps.

...but we couldn't come to terms with the owner. Personally, I liked the layout of the 36 better, but the two boats are close enough that we were just looking for the best example we could find in our price range.

As others mentioned, the aft cabin of the 34 is arguably nicer than that of the MkI C36. I don't think anyone will argue that the the C36 has a more versatile and roomy saloon. Our boat has the "U" setee layout and though it was not my first preference when we started looking for a Catalina, I find I really prefer it over the "L" layout. IMHO, the fold out table is an area where Catalina did not do as good a job as some other builders. The fold out tables on Calibers, Tartan's and Sabre's are much sturdier and easier to deploy. If Catalina's design was comparable, I would have looked for a model with the "L" layout. As it is, I'm now very happy with the fixed table. It converts to a huge berth with the ablity to sit up and put your feet on the floor -- A handy feature to check your anchor in the middle of the night. When we don't have guests, we often sleep there and use the game table, or preferably the cockpit for dining. The 36 offers a lot more storage with the drawers in the saloon and multiple lockers.

The cockpits are nearly identical as far as I could tell so not a lot of difference on deck. I think the 34 is a great boat for a couple or small family. The 36 just offers a tad more room if you like to entertain guests or have a larger family.

Good Luck, and I hope you find a bristol Catalina that fits your needs!

I looked at C-34 before I got the C-36. The C-36 has a much nicer layout.

Keep low balling C-36 owners looking to sell. In this Market you might get a 2003 or newer for $80,000.

The 2003 and newer have a much better chainplate design. This is real important fix because of the bulkhead mounted chainplates. Water leaks in through the chainplate and damages the bulkhead on 2002 models and below. There is nothing short of changing the chainplates, you can do about it.

I am looking into getting one of the best yards on the east coast to replace mine in my 2002. I am expecting to pay throgh the nose for the new chainplates.

Jimmy, never heard of this chain plate problem, are you talking about leaks that rot the bulkhead or plywood core? We bought our 89 and removed the chain plates and tore out any wood core around holes, filled with epoxy and rebedded with 3M 4200 (let this set up, tightened snug, for 24 hours then tighten good). We did this one at a time with the mast up, have also done the ss hand railes (added big ss fender washers under hand rail post on deck) and are slowly doing every hole that goes through the deck the same way.

Butch,
I agree with you. In my experience, the majority of chainplate leaks can be attributed to lack of maintenance.

Since this thread first appeared I have been mulling it over, wondering if the C-34 and C-36 can be properly thought of as twin sisters. Well, system-wise, I suppose they can. But at the risk of offending our C34 kin - which is NOT my intent here - I would like to bring up another comparison point that occurred to me as I was walking the dock in Olympia, WA, a few weeks ago: They LOOK different.

I had the opportunity to get profile photos of a C34 and a (my) C36, same marina, same day, same relative location: from across the adjoining slip bays. I cropped both photos, and even *shortened* (ie, handicapped) the C36 photo to match stem and stern the physical size of the C34. Then I laid a straight red line from rub rail at the bow to rub rail at the stern on both photos...well, as close as I could get it (the "snap to" was pulling it off just a hair).

The C36 has a straighter, longer shear line than the C34, and not just by a small amount. The family conclusion is that the evidence shows the C34 to be the C36's shorter, chubbier little brother. At least to my eye, the C36 has the more pleasing lines.

Have a look. What do you see?

Larry, no offense taken. However, you are comparing apples & oranges. A Mark II C36 to a Mk I or I 1/2 C34? Of course the sheer lines would be different. If you find a Mark II C34, I'd love to see those photos, or two Mark Is of each. We have a 1982 C36 as a dock mate, great boat, great skipper. After doin' this for 12 years, Larry, they're ALMOST exactly the same boats with different insides. Lookin' forward to the newer pictures...;) Pleasing lines? Heck, they're both great.

Stu, I was hoping I didn't step on your toes. You're such a knowledgeable contributor to this site, and I always enjoy reading what you post, that I particularly wanted to avoid offending. I will look for a C34 mk II, and if I can get an equivalent photo I'll post it.

What sold me on the 36...twice....was what I call the "pit sofa". The dining table hasn't been up for more than a day on either of my 36's. Lots of pillows and a great place for movie nights with the crew, not to mention more amorous pursuits. On the 34, the mast was in the way, so that did it for me. Otherwise, the 34 is a great boat too.

Mike

Here are 2 pics of the "pit sofa" for Lucky. One was taken before we owned it and the other is current. The antique table does not take up as much room as the regular dining table. We keep the dining table in the aft birth for when we want to convert it for Movie night or for the cat. :rolleyes:

Very nice. Here's mine....

[ATTACH]140[/ATTACH]

and the TV opposite...

[ATTACH]141[/ATTACH]

No irreverance toward powerboats intended.:D

Mike

Movie night? What ever happened to getting away from it all and sitting down with a good book?

The guys I bought my boat from were confused when I left the microwave and vcr on the dock as I sailed away. To each his own I guess.

Mike, you state the mast got in the way of your amorous adventures, I guess it was not the dreaded halyard slap we were hearing on board.

Interestingly enough, many of our C34 skippers have significantly reduced the size of their tables, too.

Larry, what I think you'll find, if you find a Mark II C34, is that the sheer, compared to the Mark Is, is flatter with the new mold. I'd really love to see Mark Is and Mark IIs side by each!

[QUOTE=Nimue;2701]Movie night? What ever happened to getting away from it all and sitting down with a good book?[/QUOTE]

Grandkids.

I was dead set against installing a TV in the boat. One weekend with the Grandkids aboard and I went to Target and bought the first flat panel I could find with a built in DVD player. I confess that I have turned in early on a few nights and put in a good flick and vegged out. Then I let the Mrs talk me into installing cable. :eek: I knew better............!:mad:

[QUOTE=Nimue;2701]Movie night? What ever happened to getting away from it all and sitting down with a good book?[/QUOTE]

It's so hard to read when someone's playing the XBox what with all the shooting going on.:p

Mike