Need Advice - C&C 34/36+

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Lost in Translation

Super Anarchist
1,299
83
Atlanta, GA
I've raced all kinds of boats, have a foiling A-Class, and bought a 1979 C&C 36 last which I've really enjoyed.  Has HVAC system which is great here and the helm has a great feel.  I decided helm feel was more important than speed in this category.  For whatever reason, this boat has great balance and people love to steer it.

I had never been a fan of the roller furling jib, but it is really valuable in this kind of boat and makes what often ends up being single handing, with several others aboard hanging out, easy.  

On my boat, the swim platform requires a step over as the transom isn't open, but the boat works great for what we do and is a lot of fun for swimming.  

All of the newer boats like the 34/36 have a larger stern and raised cockpit to allow more room below it.  The one downside I've noticed in this size boat is that with that more modern approach, the main interior gets pushed forward and feels a little smaller.  Two separate staterooms would be handy though.

 
Rain Man

Rain Man

Super Anarchist
7,753
2,486
Wet coast.
Lost in Translation said:
...  The one downside I've noticed in this size boat is that with that more modern approach, the main interior gets pushed forward and feels a little smaller.  Two separate staterooms would be handy though.
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I don't see that as a downside.  The amount of time you spend getting a good night's sleep in a very spacious v-berth or aft cabin is much greater than the amount of time you spend with 6 people sitting around a table in a salon.  Most cruising boats are operating with one couple, or a couple with 1-2 kids.  The main salon needs just enough room for them to be comfortable below on a rainy day.  Most people like to hang outside in the cockpit both in the day and in the evening rather than below - so cockpits need to be large.  Even off-season cruising you'll spend as much time as possible outside until cold pushes you below.

Larger berths mean better air circulation, less feeling of claustrophobia, more storage for your clothes etc. etc.  I think designers that max out on the salon at the expense of the berths are catering to the charter boat market vs. the typical cruiser.

Mind you I also don't get the "full canvas" thing either but I know everyone does it.

 
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Beer fueled Mayhem

Beer fueled Mayhem

Anarchist
686
231
Ballard, WA
Owned a 34+ for five years or so.  Smallish v-berth.  Great aft cabin.  Had the deep draft model.  I thought it was hard to get her to sail to her rating but that was probably the sails and my shit skill at sailing.  We did multiple Swiftsure races on her and always felt secure.  Finished mid-pack but expected that.

Not sure about build quality in relation to other boats.  All the production boat manufacturers seem to kinda suck at one point or another.  Mine seemed screwed together pretty damn well.

For sure join the owners group.  They are very helpful and friendly.  Hell, I'm still on the mailing list as I like them.

My buddy has a CS 34.  Mine was a little faster but that is a great boat also but not as good looking in my opinion.  

Boat is really a 36 footer but has 34 feet plastered all over her so I took advantage of that.  Hauling out?  34 feet.  Guest moorage?  34 feet.  Hell, regular moorage?  34 feet.  You get the idea.  

Only reason I sold her was I married a gal with two kids and then we had another one.  Was sick and tired of converting the saloon to a bedroom every night.  Got a Wauquiez 42.

DSC_0732.jpg

 
D

Dr Conrad Zimsky

Member
143
2
There were three 34s:

  • 34: base boat (more cruiser than racer);
  • 34R: race boat (taller rig, deeper keel); and
  • 34+: cruising interior with the race rig and keel

The 37 had the same assortment.

 
Callahan

Callahan

Anarchist
769
43
Wrong- 34+ base boat with standard keel or wing keel. Full interior. 34XL- Taller rig and slightly different interior. 34R tall rig, spartan interior, open transom, lighter weight, no anchor locker. To confuse things even further you could order the boat with features from the other versions like more interior or a taller rig

 
gcutter

gcutter

Member
271
28
Nofolk, VA
I raced on the 34+ in North Carolina when he was learning to race it 20 years ago. I brought my very experienced C&C crew from our custom C&C 30-2XL. He had a centerboard version built for him by the last version of C&C Canada cuz it's so shallow in the NC sounds. It is a sweet sailer because Rob Ball knew how to design good, fast boats. They are well-built but check the balsa cored hull and deck for moisture, their only achilles heel.

Cheers, Greg

 
kent_island_sailor

kent_island_sailor

Super Anarchist
28,584
6,331
Kent Island!
I wouldn't say that any more so than any boat their age. C&C hulls are not known for problems for the most part, but stupid owner tricks can get water into any boat's deck even if the caulking was perfect from the factory.

Also those glued in plexi ports can eventually leak like any boat. The C&C list can give you DIY instructions to replace them if that becomes an issue.

 
J

JK4

New member
4
0
Don't know how much downwind sailing you plan on doing, but be warned that the 34 downwind cannot be described as "stable" under kite. Raced on one for a number of years and in a good breeze under kite it was not a question of if, but only when was she going to wipeout. She simply has too small a spade to keep her stable downwind in a good breeze. 

 
Ishmael

Ishmael

Granfalloon
58,465
16,307
Fuctifino
JK4 said:
Don't know how much downwind sailing you plan on doing, but be warned that the 34 downwind cannot be described as "stable" under kite. Raced on one for a number of years and in a good breeze under kite it was not a question of if, but only when was she going to wipeout. She simply has too small a spade to keep her stable downwind in a good breeze. 
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Are you talking the 34 or the 34+? Very different boats.

 
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