Blair, it sounds like you are talking about the C380 and not the C38. My experience with the C380 is that the saloon is somewhat smaller than one would expect on a boat that size, even smaller than the one on our C34. Also, if you singlehand a lot, you'll find the extra freeboard of the 380 to be more to handle. And I'll betcha the C36 sails a LOT better.

It took me 4 or 5 months to decide that the C36 with in-mast furling was the dream boat. After that decision I searched a couple months. I took a tour and inspected 7 of them on the east coast, then spent $7000 to haul the one I got to the midwest. French boats and the German boat were all too Ikea- like. Hunters, well, you like them or you don't. Island Packet is nice, but there's not much room inside until you get into their larger models.

To my eye, the 350 and the 380 look like Winnebagos on the water. Very spacious inside, but way too much topsides for singlehanded operation. The 36 has a much more classic boat looks. The issue was emphisized yesterday when I had to dock single handed with a 20 knot wind on beam.

I don't think a better boat exists for my needs, but after heading upwind in 5 foot seas I would have liked a higher bow, with the deck curving up a bit more in front. Punching into a wave like that gets green water all the way back to the dodger.

I've also learned how little bilge there is and not much storage. I think the 380 and larger boats have a lot more storage space. Closest thing to a real wet locker in the C36 is the head.

Here's a 380 for sale:
[url]http://catalina.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=...

The more I look at other boats the more I love my 1983 Mk I C36, hull 114. We just had a local, small boat show in Channel Islands Harbor. Catalina was there in full force since they just opened a new marina. In addition, a dockmate just bought a 199(9??) 380. I had expected to be lusting after the bigger, newer boats. Comparing those boats with Tao, I came away frankly unimpressed. Even the new 445, yeah, it's a great boat, but on a price-per-pound basis, not so much. After I bought Tao, my broker, (a dear friend who died at 55 of a heart-attack not long after - live every moment) was at a boat show in Long Beach. He saw Gerry Douglas and mentioned how much I paid for Tao. Gerry replied that he already knew and said that we'd reset the price point (whether that occurred, who knows). What I do know is that I'd literally have to spend at least seven to eight times what I paid for Tao to get even a used boat so much better as to be worth it. And that isn't worth it. My '83 C-36 is a truly great boat. I can stand up in it (I'm 6'4"). I can lay down in it (even if the v-berth isn't level). She's a solid boat that keeps her keel in the water, is in great shape, and has few problems. The only thing I wish I had is a walk-through transom, but I've figured out that a more or less equivalent solution to that can be had. And I've just installed a windlass that I got working for the first time today! A new Tartan 4000 was at the show. Yes, it is a stunning piece of equipment. But, the aft berth pretty much sucked. I could point out design flaws, IMHO. And unless I planned to circumnavigate, exactly what would be the point other than bragging rights, over my C36? Not one thing. Enjoy what you have, use it to it's fullest. If yu then find you want to do more, go more, then fine, lust up. But buy bigger just because, naw, the C36 -- even Mk I, is a great boat.

[QUOTE=drdanj;13508]TThe only thing I wish I had is a walk-through transom, but I've figured out that a more or less equivalent solution to that can be had. [/QUOTE]

OK, I'm hooked.

HOW?:)

I had my heart set on a 27-28’ Catalina. Initially, the 36 seemed like more boat then I could handle or afford but I went for it anyway and I'm glad I did. I'm sure I've saved a lot of dough and angst by not maintaining, upgrading, or selling a boat that in hindsight, we probably would've outgrown in short order.

My advice, based on my personal experiences & preferences, etc, is don’t be rushed. Wait for the right boat to come along and don’t be surprised if in the meantime, something even better lands in your lap. If you can swing it, go for it.

I've seen two options, one easy/cheap(er) the other likely way out there. A dockmate just bought a 1984 C36. Onboard was a brochure for a pair of fold-up swim platforms, one either side of the drop down ladder. Whoever it is makes them for C34s and C36s, ready to ship. At first I thought, yeah that's nice, but the more I think about it, the better the idea sounds. The more serious approach I saw somewhere was a complete redo of the transom. There's enough room back there to create a smallish step up transom. When I see my dockmate, I'm going to get the flyer for the fold up steps. An advantage is that you lose none of the stowage in the aft lazarette.

No, I don't know what he paid for the 380, but it wqas a lot more than I paid for my 36!

[QUOTE=blair;13534]drdanj,

your dockmate may have just bought a boat that was for sale in Long Beach that i looked at.
do you know what he paid for it?[/QUOTE]
Two dockmates bought boats, one a 36, the other a 380. The 1984 36 went for $39,000, don't know the other.

[QUOTE=stu jackson c34;13517]OK, I'm hooked.

HOW?:)[/QUOTE]

My 10 cents worth...

We found the access over the transom from the swim ladder quite awkward, so this year we made a poor man's solution, we cut down the pushpit so there is a bit more space...
We have a radar pole up the aft stay, so that limits things somewhat.

There is also an extra vertical to mount the outboard mounting block.
Works well, nothing like a walk thru transom but an improvement none the less :-)

Rob, that's a neat idea! Here's another one you may want to try: We originally had a fixed split backstay. I kept hitting my head on the splits! I raised it a few feet and put a Garhauer vang on it to make it adjustable. Don't hit myself on anything anymore.

Here is another idea for a walk thru transom on a 1987 MK I. We had a lower bar that you had to step over to get in/out of the boat. Additionally, there was the backstay that was in the middle of the walk way. I wrote it up and it's in the Technical Section under upgrades at this location: [URL="http://www.c36ia.com/node/900"]http://www.c36ia.com/node/900[/URL]

Rob, thanks for the great idea! I used your photos to create an article for the homepage and the Technical - Upgrades library.

Thanks, Larry. We only did one side but it works well - especially when we are loading supplies aboard, or climbing over in swim fins :-)

Here on land I'm befuddled. The pushpit design on the MKIs seems totally different in the two sets of images, even before the mods. Images here:
[url]http://www.c36ia.com/node/2209[/url]
seem to show horizontal rails coming around with a single vertical support at the end.

Rob, did you really take out the vertical support at the bottom? That's what you mean by you only did it on one side? Doesn't that reduce the strength of the starboard side?

Images here:
[url]http://www.c36ia.com/node/900[/url]
show a vertical just before the top rail ends, curves and goes down. What's funny is that sitting here I couldn't tell you exactly how mine is designed, see it every other day, but don't have the "snapshot" in my head. I'm guessing mine is more like Rob's since I have hull #114.

Hi there, sorry for the delay replying - we've been out of Internet range for a time

No, the vertical post remains, but the overhanging upper curved bit is moved to the port side by about 5" and the middle rail that was continuous across the transom is cut flush with the verticals and plugged.

It seems quite strong enough, not wobbly at all.

Edit - attached is a photoshop I did when planning the mod - original set up on the left of the photo... In the right half it shows an extra vertical, but in practise we found this was not necessary so we didn't put one in.