38-40' Coastal Cruiser

[montenido]

Hi all, I have been the happy owner of a Catalina 30 for a couple of years. Before any of you launch into the long list of limitations that it has, let me say that it has been a great starter boat and does what I need. What it doesn't have (according to my wife) is a lot of bunk space. She likes her big bed. While discussing the matter recently, she let slip that she might be more willing to sail if there was more room. Did I just here an opening for a larger boat? I think so.

With that in mind, I am looking for recomendations for a good coastal cruiser in the 38-40' range. I would like to spend no more than $50k. Bear in mind that I will not be circumnavigating, and that I single-hand a lot. I realize this will limit me to older boats to remain in this price range, but give me some models to think about.

Thanks, Bill

[sailingdog]

Some boats that might work for you are:

S2 11.0
Cal 39
Beneteau First 35
Tartan 37
C&C landfall 35/38
CS 36T
C&C 36

[sailhog]

Catalina 36 would be a sound choice. You can pick one of those up for $35,000. Next would be SD's suggestion of a Cal 39 or a Morgan 38.

[montenido]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. Does a C36 have significantly more room than the C30? I guess I should crawl around in a few boats. Any feedback on the C38? Looks like a nice boat also.

Thanks, Bill

[blt2ski]

Depending upon the type of sailing you like, ie performance oriented vs slower...........Look at some older J boats too, ie 35 and 37 if you want spirited sailing. Obviously the typical production models from Jeanneau, Beneteau, Hunter. then some not made, O'day, Islander, Ranger, Ericson, Pacific Seacraft, cal...........shall I go on?

If you want slow and sure, there are the Atkin style double enders.......

Reality is, ANY of the older 34-18' boats will probably do you fine. Find one as well taken care of that you can, you might get lucky and find an original owner, this can be good and bad! I bought a OO that was 20 yrs old, overall in pretty good shape, but still went thru the thing for the most part. Unfortunately it had original sails, interior etc.

marty

[GeorgeB]

Your $50k price tag is a limiting factor. In SOCAL, you will be looking at a 1980s vintage C36 or C34. You may get lucky and find a motivated seller, but usually the boats below $40k have “issues”. Remember that length is added in the middle of the boat, not the ends. Just by stepping up to a C34, you will get tons more room. The V-berth in the 34 is the biggest in the biz and is actually larger than the one in the C36. The C36’s extra length is all in the main saloon (not a bad place to put it). We found that the V-berth in our C34 was actually larger than the one in the Sabre 402 (we were considering “trading up” before the market crashed).

[hump180]

I have a C34 and it has a much roomier feel than than the 30. I think it would be a nice upgrade for you. The C36 is also a nice option if you came across one.

[sailingdog]

It should feel a lot roomier, since it is probably 30% larger than the C30.

Originally Posted by hump180

I have a C34 and it has a much roomier feel than than the 30. I think it would be a nice upgrade for you. The C36 is also a nice option if you came across one.

[montenido]

Thanks for the replies everybody. I have been looking at quite a few different boats. I saw a Morgan 382 that I liked. I decided that a C38 doesn't have all that much more room due to the increased overhangs. Just for fun I checked out a C36 and I really liked the aft berth and roomy cabin. This one might do the trick.

I have decided to stick with a coastal cruiser over a true bluewater boat at this time, because CC is mostly what I will be doing for the next couple of years. If I can get the admiral interested in cruising, I might look at bluewater boats then.

Thanks for the great tips, Bill