Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice?

Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again?

I would double check to see if the boat is a 2-34 or 3-34. In 1974 it should be a 2-34. My boat is a late 1974 and it's a 2-34. If the boat is in great shape the price might be OK. There are a ton of 34's out there for less. The bottom line is how much money will it take to make it"right". I don't even count up how much money I have spent. The 34 is a fine boat. The 34 and 2-34 have the "dreaded mild steel beam" The 3-34 might not. I'm not sure. Each model 34 sails well. The interior layout changes between each model. The sail plan is the same on the 2-34 and 3-34. Chuck 2-34 second Fiddle hull #252 --- On Mon, 4/12/10, bixmc <bi… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: bixmc <bi… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 12:06 PM Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again?

What is the exact engine model? [ Not just the horsepower ] *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* On 4/12/2010 3:06 PM, bixmc wrote: > Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. > > I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. > > I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. > > The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. > > Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again? > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2806 - Release Date: 04/12/10 02:32:00 > > -- *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184*

My question would be how handy are you? As others have pointed out, every boat has an on-the-water in good shape price. Pay it now or pay it later. Engine, electrics and wiring, prior leakage damage, the woodwork, the fillet bonds, the plumbing, the beam. After working on numerous boats, my inclination these days is to go up in price for less later work (joints are starting to creak - me not the boat). Best of Luck Charlie Annapolis From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bixmc Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:06 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again? ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

--- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, "bixmc" <bixmc@...> wrote: > > Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. > > I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. > > I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. <SNIP> Dear "bixmc" The 34 is a wonderful boat. Just wonderful. I bought a "project" 34 MK lll about 2 years ago. It was in decent shape when I took possession. Cal 34's were selling for between $19k and $31k then. You can EASILY knock off $10k or more now. We bought right in the middle of the price range and have since spent over $20K. We haven't gotten to the electronics yet. The only real challenge for you MIGHT be the W-30 Westerbeke. Mine now runs smooth a glass with 2,500 hrs but I know a repower is inevitable. Part are scarce-to-non available for that engine now. I found sources for the transmission and V-Drive, the hatches, port lights and a lot of other things that make a refit possible. I sold boats for a short while and can tell you that the electronics do not add value at re-sale time. They have intrinsic value to the owner but no monetary value; no matter how cool they are. (I smell a battle of perspectives coming on) It is the overall condition, the level of maintenance it has received and engine hours that effect price most. In this market,offer about $10k less and if this boat passes survey to your satisfaction inch your way back up a little over the $20k mark. (I hope no one on this list owns the thing!) Good luck. It would be hard to find a better 34 footer!

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone. I am not sure on the specific model of the engine- I'll have to check. I made a typo- it isn't a 1974, it's a 1978. Any specific areas/items I should scrutinize when I look at her again?

I'd check to see if that model (should be a III for that year) has the beam under the mast step. This is a substantial repair item. We are OK with using our names on this list. Makes the conversation easier. Cheers Charlie Husar Annapolis, MD From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bixmc Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 12:15 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? Thanks for the advice so far, everyone. I am not sure on the specific model of the engine- I'll have to check. I made a typo- it isn't a 1974, it's a 1978. Any specific areas/items I should scrutinize when I look at her again? ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links

a rebuilt trans cost me about $1,000, electronics cost a few thousand. I am sure you can find a Cal 34 III for around $20,000 and talk him down a few thousand easily. I sold a 1977 Cal 34 III in good condition with new electronics for $19,000 5 years ago. Good Luck!! She is a beautiful sailing, well balanced boat!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: bixmc To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:06 PM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again?

The 34 Mk III does not have the beam and has a nice interior plan. ----- Original Message ----- From: Chuck Lennox To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 11:56 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? I would double check to see if the boat is a 2-34 or 3-34. In 1974 it should be a 2-34. My boat is a late 1974 and it's a 2-34. If the boat is in great shape the price might be OK. There are a ton of 34's out there for less. The bottom line is how much money will it take to make it"right". I don't even count up how much money I have spent. The 34 is a fine boat. The 34 and 2-34 have the "dreaded mild steel beam" The 3-34 might not. I'm not sure. Each model 34 sails well. The interior layout changes between each model. The sail plan is the same on the 2-34 and 3-34. Chuck 2-34 second Fiddle hull #252 --- On Mon, 4/12/10, bixmc <bi… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: bixmc <bi… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 12:06 PM Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again?

bixmc, We have a Cal 34 III (1978) and absolutely love it. To Chuck's point, the condition and equipment really make a difference. That price is not out of the ball park, but the boat must be in good shape. If you move ahead, complete a survey to make sure you get what you pay for. On a side note for Cal 34 owners, there are a good number of Cal 34s out there, but not a whole lot of information. I created a specific Cal34 yahoo group. Feel free to join there as well. Right now I am a group of 1! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cal34/ --- In Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com, svadas <Svadas4@...> wrote: > > The 34 Mk III does not have the beam and has a nice interior plan. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Chuck Lennox > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 11:56 PM > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? > > > > I would double check to see if the boat is a 2-34 or 3-34. In 1974 it should be a 2-34. My boat is a late 1974 and it's a 2-34. If the boat is in great shape the price might be OK. There are a ton of 34's out there for less. The bottom line is how much money will it take to make it"right". I don't even count up how much money I have spent. > > The 34 is a fine boat. The 34 and 2-34 have the "dreaded mild steel beam" The 3-34 might not. I'm not sure. Each model 34 sails well. The interior layout changes between each model. The sail plan is the same on the 2-34 and 3-34. > Chuck > 2-34 second Fiddle hull #252 > > --- On Mon, 4/12/10, bixmc <bixmc@...> wrote: > > > From: bixmc <bixmc@...> > Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 34 MK III For sale- Advice? > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > Date: Monday, April 12, 2010, 12:06 PM > > > > Hello all. I'm new to the board but not to sailing. Grew up sailing on my family's 40ft-ish boats, mostly coastal cruising. > > I'm ready to take the next step and buy my own boat. I want something for coastal cruising, and perhaps someday offshore. Not interested in racing; mainly just taking it easy and exploring. > > I am looking at purchasing a 1974 Cal 34 mk III. It looks to be in good shape for its age. Has new AP, GPS, chartplotter, and transmission. 24 HP Westerbeke engine with around 1300 hours. The sellers have sailed the West Coast on it (several thousand mile trip) recently. > > The asking price is $29,000. That seems higher than a lot of other Cal 34s I've seen online, but it does have brand-new electronics and transmission. > > Any input on the price, the boat, etc? All comments are appreciated! Specific things to look at when I check it out again? >