C&C 33, 35 and 38

[CliffR]

Looking at these boats why is the 38 the cheapest of the three? All the same years but the 38 seems to be the boat that has not held it's value.

CLiff

[sailingdog]

Cliff-

There are two versions of the C&C 38. The regular C&C 38 and the C&C 38 Landfall, which was more cruising oriented.

[CliffR]

I know about the Landfall series I am not talking about the the Landfall. I am talking about the 38-1

Cliff

[sailingdog]

Just checking...

[TIKI TIME]

Have you tried posting this question on the C&C owners web site. They may be able to help.
Here is the link- C&C Yachts - C&C Photo Album & Resource Center


Terry

[sailingfool]

FWIW both the 33 and the 38 as sold didn't have much for amenities or interior space, due to the sloping forward deck, very race-oriented whereas the 35 mark II was a much more wll rounded design, very good performance but more head room and comforts down below. I'd rather spend a week on a 35 than a 38...and i think that affects value.

Not to say tha the 38 isn't a delightful sailing boat, just that it is more rich as a racer than as a cruiser. Racing boats jsut don;'t hold valu the way a good general purpose boat does.

[KeelHaulin]

I think the 38 would make a fine cruiser; as to why the 33/35 have held better value I can't say for sure. It might be differences in how the current boats are equipped or maintained/upgraded; larger older boats tend to fall into disrepair due to the cost of maintenance whereas a smaller boat might be more affordable for an owner with a tight budget. So the 33/35's currently available -might- be in better condition and therefore have held better overall value. If you buy a larger boat for less; be prepared to spend more making it into a cruise-ready boat because you initially paid less money per foot of boat. That's not to say that you would not be getting a good value for the less expensive 38' boat; but just be ready to spend what it takes in money and time to bring it up to par with a smaller yet better equipped ~33/35' boat.

Check out this guy's Landfall 38 and the complete refit he has done. It will also give you some ideas about what things to look for in a used boat; he fully admits that this boat was a basket case when he bought it.

C&C Landfall 38 - Stella Blue

[CliffR]

Keelhaulin,

That is what I thought coming from a J 29 we want a boat that is fast and has the racey feel and the sail controls where they should be. We wanted low free board, traveler in the cockpit and a niced sized v berth plus we like the sleek look of the 38. On Lake Erie the taller rig will help on the lite air days and the cost from a 35 to a 38 on hauling and storage is minimal.

Cliff

[sailstoo]

I race crew on a friends C&C 38. It's about 30 years old but still in nice shape; well equipped and maintained OK. Tough...make that impossible to sail to its rating in light air, especially against more contemporary designs, and the overhangs and skinny ends put a hurt on interior volume for cruising...but that was the IOR. They also lack ventilation with those fixed windows and minimal hatches. Having said all that, I'm looking for a 32 or 34 as a cruiser because they sail well and are great values. Gotta watch out for wet core though.

[paulk]

The C&C 38 is a big, heavy boat that takes a full crew to handle unless it's set up with pricey gear which... can break. Having to find crew makes boats lose price points compared to others. Having to buy 3/4" sheets instead of 1/2" sheets makes boats lose price points compared to others. Having to buy $80 snatch blocks instead of $50 snatch blocks adds up after a while, too, and makes boats lose price points compared to others. It goes on and on. The 38 is also pretty deep, which limits cruising grounds. Below, the cabin offers a pretty huge space for crew and gear to get thrown about in, since there are few handholds and (in keeping with the goal of racing) little space for secure stowage as originally built. The 35 is much "tighter" in terms of stowage and area below, and therefore safer in a seaway. To compare performance, the 38 rates 114 PHRF on Lake Erie and the 35 (Mk I) rates 129. Neither one looks to be fantastic in light air (see testimonial from sailstoo above) though the bigger boat might be able to snag more breeze with its taller mast. The 33 is a pretty boat that sails well upwind (rating 150) and is obvously easier to sail shorthanded than the 38 would be. The tiny main is ridiculous, however in terms of any drive, and forces having a huge jib to get the boat to move. The 33 can also be quite squirrelly downwind when the pinched transom and IOR "bustle" come into play. I believe Practical Sailor has good input on these boats in their "Practical Boat Buying" books, which may be available in your local library if you don't want to buy them.