Tartan 34 v Pacific Seacraft Mariah 31

[AuntB]

It is hard to narrow my focus for our first sailboat and I am looking for peoples thoughts.

I am looking for a safe, affordable, forgiving, comfortable, well made, sea kindly, maintained, simple boat that can be single handled. I am handy but do not want a project. This forum and others have convinced me of the wisdom of getting a boat that is in good shape rather than purchasing a project. We have a small family of 3, but I am 6'3" and want to be able to stand up below. Most of our sailing will be in the Chesapeake Bay but I want to be able to go to Maine, the Florida Keys, and beyond. So we are looking for a day sailor, a weekender, and a boat capable of making the occasional longer trip. I enjoy speed but a smooth motion is more important.

I am looking at two boats:

1977 Pacific Seacraft Mariah 31'. $35,000. Full keel with 4'5" draft. It is in very good condition, '77 yanmar raw water cooled with less than 2,000 hours. Racor filter. Tiller with wind vane self steering. Bottom was peeled this year. Roller furling with newer sails from the mid 90's. This boat needs about $6,500 of work to replace the rotted bowsprit, sampson posts, and repair the companionway hatch (I have the estimate in hand). Otherwise, the boat is in very good shape. This is the first model of the PSC 31" with 15,000 pounds displacement. It is very different from the current PSC 31'.

1974 Tartan 34. $30,000. Draft 3'11" to 8'4" with the board down. Also in good condition. New Volvo engine and fuel tanks in '98. Tiller. New paint. Interior varnished in 2001. All the teak has been refinished. Roller furling and the sails are less than 6 years old.

What should I be aware of for these two boats?

[sailingfool]

Isn't ther Chesapeake a relativley light air venue, ala LonIsland Sound? If so, botht hese boats are pretty slow rated by PHRF, the Tartan rating 174, the PSC 31 rating 204. I would worry that with a vessel like the 31 you could spend mos tot the season under power.

[Yorksailor]

Tartan 34 is a great little sail boat, I have raced in the bay on one and from St Pete to Isla Mujeres where it performed very well in heavy weather. For a 34 ft boat that 174 PHRF is very reasonable and the boat sails well in light air.

The board makes it very versatile and a great gunkholer that can sail to windward. I have a 78-yr-od friend who has just sailed his 34 from Miami to Grenada, about 1500 miles.

The new engine is a plus,they used to put a funky German engine in them.

The Tartan also sounds as though it is in better condition. With over 600 built it is a boat that has stood the test of time.

Conclusion: take the Tartan

Phil

[baboon]

I agree with York. A boat that needs 6K worth of work may end up needing more than that once you tear into it. If the Tartan is ready to go, you will come out way ahead from a cost standpoint.

Be very carefull with the volvo engine. 12 years old is not new, parts are really steep and on older models can be hard to find. It is not a reason to pass on the Tartan, but a good motor inspection is needed. If it has been well maintianed in can last for decades.

[Sabreman]

Go with the Tartan. If you spend a lot of time on the Bay, you will appreciate the somewhat faster boat.

[AuntB]

Thanks for the input. I need the help to avoid making an emotional decision. That PSC is just beautiful. I will spend some time with the Tartan this weekend.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by AuntB

Thanks for the input. I need the help to avoid making an emotional decision. That PSC is just beautiful. I will spend some time with the Tartan this weekend.

Although I have a PSC, I also would have said to go with the Tartan based on your initial post (since you're primarily looking for a day sailor and weekender for use mainly on the bay). It's great that you're planning to spend some time with the Tartan this weekend. The older Tartan's at my marina are wonderful boats.

Don't make an emotional decision, but also don't totally write off the emotional aspect. Having a boat you feel is "just beautiful" makes it a pleasure to own. You'll appreciate the kind words from others as well. To be on the safe side though, I'd agree with other posts above and double the $6.5K estimate "just in case" and see how that influences your decision.

If you haven't already, you may want to take a look at the recent "If not a Pacific Seacraft, then what?" thread ( http://www.sailnet.com/forums/pacifi...raft-what.html for some similar pro/con arguments.

[AuntB]

The part of the "If not a PSC..." post that got to me was the idea that I should just go sailing. Stop thinking so much.

I hitched a ride the last 2 weekends and have plans for next weekend also. That's fun, but not the same as owning a boat. Maybe I should pitch this whole boat buying thing and call the man who advertised a free Rainbow 23.

[MC1]

I think if you're actually going to buy a boat, thinking and soliciting a range of opinion is a good thing. I think if you're just thinking about doing some more thinking about buying a boat, going sailing's probably the better idea.

[tsuidc]

Make sure you or your surveyor closely inspect the centerboard pivot pin for wear where it connects to the pivot arm. The pin connection to the pivot arm of a Tartan 34 of this vintage is a rather unique system: square pivot pin in a square hole in the pivot arm. There is probably substantial pivot pin wear for a '74 if not replaced recently. This may result in the board not being able to be raised all the way or at all. Some owners have sealed the board up permanently to overcome the problem, but that kind of defeats the purpose of a centerboard boat. The pin can be replaced, but it is not an easy task. Also watch for balsa deck core rot.