Trying to choose between two boats

[Bay35]

I have two friends that are wanting to give me good deals on thier boats. However, I have always owned power boats and this would be my first sailboat. The choices are a 28' Morgan Out Island and a 27' Catalina. Both are mid 70's models. Any advise on these two boats would be greatly appriceated

[camaraderie]

Assuming like condition AND diesel engines in both (Cat27 had gas ones too), I would recommennd the Catalina as it
1. Sails really well!
2. Has a large class organization of owners and is still supported by a viable company for parts etc.
Catalina bought the Morgan name some years ago but the 70's era boats are not really supported by the "new" Morgan.

[Irwin32]

The Morgan Out Islands were not great sailing boats. They had a lot of interior room for their length. i have no hands on experience with these boats, but I have heard them to be well built and well founded yachts.

The Cat 27 is built just good enough. It will perform better than the Morgan, but I would expect the Morgan to be a better built boat. I have had some experience on the Cat 27s. They are decent boats, but not known for being passage makers and certainly not in the "overbuilt" catagory

Personally, I would not hesitate to buy a pre Catalina Morgan if it was in good shape, etc. It is my opinion that the Catalina Morgans are not as well made as the original Charlie Morgan designs

[sailandoar]

Some folks sail the bottoms off their boats and if you are one of those then the Catalina would likely be the better choice of the two.

Most folks sail just a little bit and the rest of the time just enjoy hanging out on the water. The Morgans have a reputation for being slugs/barges and it is in some ways well desreved. I think of the Morgan out island line as "beautiful, sleek BARGES!"

Get you friends to let you stay on the boat for a weekend, even just at the dock in the marina and see what you think. If the boat will be a little waterfront cottage that Oh bye the way we can take out when the weather is just right then you will probably be much happier camping out/living on the spacious barge.

If dockage costs are anything like they are in our area, consider what your 5year dockage costs will be and then make sure your get something you will use. If you have been a boat owner before your may already have a good idea of how much use most marina boats get. Not Much..... Here in NC the 5year slip cost for 28' boat is as much as $20,000 but our marina has a 35' mimimum @ $12/ft/month => total(5yr): $25,000 ...... choke, gasp, cough ....... That's assumes no inflation.

[Planb835]

I have been extremely fortunate in that I could always sell my boat. Which one has better resale? Are your friends dumping dogs on you? Why are they being so nice? Go to yachtworld.com and research prices asked for the same boats. You do not want to be on the high or low range of prices being asked.

[Irwin32]

Another thought: As a former power boat owner youmight like the Morgan better as it will offer more power boat characteristics as opposed to the Cat.