MacGregorSailors.com

It may be one small step for a sailor, but it's one giant, intimidating leap for yours truly!!

Almost to the day, 5 years after buying our 3yr old , (but sailed only once by previous owner), now, for nearly the same amount we've moved up to a 28yr old Catalina C36. She's got "good bones", lots of restoration, good clean hull (passed marine survey), good sails and only 400hrs on the "new" engine. What's needed most is some extensive elbow grease equity for the Admiral's "bling quotient".

But wow... going from a simple trouble free Suzuki 70 outboard and a porta-potty, to an inboard diesel, pressurized hot & cold water, head with storage tank & macerator, bilge with pump. separate pump for shower bilge, 5 switch breaker panel to about 30 switches! Auto helm.... etc etc ...Big step! Steep learning curve!

And, get this: we can walk around without coordinating our movements . And... so weird... you step onto the boat from the dock, and the boat doesn't even move!

So, I have 8 months to get the bling factor in place to get the admiral onboard next season .

I know that I haven't posted much this year. But you guys in this forum have been invaluable to me these past 5 years. Thank you for all of your great advise and encouragement and humor! I'm now moving over to the very BIG http://www.c36ia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=1

Here's a shot of my "trailerable" C36 being delivered:


The layout:

For the bored and die hard, here's an album of a bunch pics of our new boat, including video clips of mast stepping and launch.
https://picasaweb.google.com/aplebel/Ca ... directlink

Congrats. I love the layout on the c36. Has a very home like layout.

Sweet fair winds

Very nice Paul...fair winds and tides.

Nice Venue for that boat ..I can't wait to retire and have the grandkids on Cuttyhunk on something similar

Congrats!

I am always interested on what people choose after the mac if they continue sailing. What were your deciding factors on the catalina vs others?

Paul, you will enjoy that boat.
I've always loved the Catalina boats. It may take some work to bling it out to the admiral's specs, but it looks like a really good boat. I would love to have a boat like that, but I can't trailer it and launch it myself. Reminds me of my Hunter.
That engine access is fantastic! Overall, the boat looks great. Nothing that some elbow grease can't fix. Imagine all the new life you will be breathing back into her. Your admiral will love it too. A real shower with hot water!

There are more systems to learn about. Creature comforts come at a cost. But don't get intimidated by that. "New" engine huh? I wonder why it was replaced. Those diesels run forever with proper maintenance. Get a spare impeller (easy to change right there in front) and keep the oil changed frequently. Spare belt and keep the fuel filters clean. Biggest reason for that motor to stop running is bad fuel or water in the fuel. Hope it has a water separator, if not add one. Diesels are weird in that they have no ignition system, so turning they key "off" doesn't stop the motor.

Where are you keeping it? Close to home I hope, for all those trips to work on her.

Remember, you can still stop by this forum. Post pics of the new boat.

--Russ

Just for you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24607880

Paul L wrote:It may be one small step for a sailor, but it's one giant, intimidating leap for yours truly!!

Almost to the day, 5 years after buying our 3yr old , (but sailed only once by previous owner), now, for nearly the same amount we've moved up to a 28yr old Catalina C36. She's got "good bones", lots of restoration, good clean hull (passed marine survey), good sails and only 400hrs on the "new" engine. What's needed most is some extensive elbow grease equity for the Admiral's "bling quotient".

But wow... going from a simple trouble free Suzuki 70 outboard and a porta-potty, to an inboard diesel, pressurized hot & cold water, head with storage tank & macerator, bilge with pump. separate pump for shower bilge, 5 switch breaker panel to about 30 switches! Auto helm.... etc etc ...Big step! Steep learning curve!

And, get this: we can walk around without coordinating our movements . And... so weird... you step onto the boat from the dock, and the boat doesn't even move!

Nice boat Paul, great photos and video, thanks for sharing. You and yours will enjoy the additional space and feel.
We are getting used to maneuvering our Baba 35, docking her is not a easily done as with our 26X.
I see your Cat 36 is a fin keel, she should be fairly easy for you to dock as they steer better than a full keel, especially in reverse.

Enjoy your new boat.

Hope to see you on the water around Camano.

PaulT.

Thanks guys. Paul T I sent you an email. Yes, hopefully we can meet and cruise next summer on our new big keelboats.

Seapup. We did tons of looking online, mostly at yachtworld. When we finally got out to look at boats in person, we were going to see a Hunter. Nearby were two Catalinas. I fell in love with the classic lines (sits lower in the water than Hunter). Whenever we visited marinas in our Mac, when I saw a Catalina, I'd say to my wife: "Now THAT'S a sailboat" It has an excellent reputation (with both racers and cruisers), still cranking out boats into the thousands. Parts still readily available. A HUGE technical support network. In the older 36 like ours I Love the nav station with it's own swivel seat. That will be my perch as I tinker away at some project or another when at anchor .

Russ, thanks. Yes the marina is 40 min away. It's like I have a new job now... commuting M-W-F and staying on the boat all day discovering, learning, cleaning and fixing. I LOVE it!

Fair winds back to you all.

Paul

Paul,

Can't go wrong with a C-36

I've owned two smaller Catalinas and when I sold my 26X and was boat shopping, I almost bought what could be a twin of your 36. They are great boats and can be had reasonably
At the time, I was also looking at the new Columbia 30 (now 32, I think). I could have gotten the new boat, but I loved the old Catalina and the price was considerable less.

After careful consideration ( like slip fees in Southern California........ things like that), in the end I decided to put the extra dough into paying off and improving my first home. So.......... that's how I ended up with the 26D. Had to have some kind of boat, right
Now, the Admiral and I are looking at RVs and plan to do some national traveling, while dragging the D boat along. (likely next year or so)

Anyway...........
Congrats on the new boat. She looks like a honey.
Send us a pic, when you get her exactly like you want her. I just bet she'll sparkle by then

Best Breezes to You and Yours,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

Congrats on your new boat. It looks a beauty. And Trailerable! (Sort of).

I see that it's large enough to host a polo match. That's pretty big!

http://www.catalina36.org/node/2133

Steve, you know you can go Sailing in San Diego without towing your boat if you give me a day or two notice, right?

Man, the C36 is a workhorse - their are a LOT of them too because they never sink. I have spent MANY fine hours in a C36 - my brother has one and my neighbor two doors down also has one. You can do anything on that boat. That's a REAL boat - I never was really interested in owning a real boat, but I sure enjoy going out on real boats that other people own. Wow, your ready to make Hawaii, Panama, you name it. Yup, that's a real boat - C36 even goes around The Horn - many have. I can't think of a better boat.

Great Adventures are just around the Horizon.
I had a 35ft Alberg 1963 that I sailed for 3 years from Cape Cod thru Leeward/Windward Islands to S. America and back. Best time of my life!
If you got the Wing 4.2 draft you can visit most of SW Florida.
Dave

I took a Cat 36 into SFO bay in 35 knots in FEB...even with my sailing skills it was easy to handle and comfortable