Missing my center console

Jus Cruisin

Jus Cruisin

Well-Known Member
Oct 6, 2021
2,302
Lake St Clair - MI (Belle Maer Harbor)
Boat Info
2004 390 DA
Engines
8.1's
As much as I like my 390DA, I'm not using it as it is intended. It's been a day boat for us and I'm thinking that I might move on from it next year. I keep looking at the Chris Craft Catalina 34. I haven't seen one in person just pictures. I like the fact there's a bit of a cabin, 3 across helm seating and there is a full galley option behind the helm (electric grill, solid surface stove top, microwave, freezer and refrigerator). It would be used and it'll likely be a southern boat. Anyway, kicking it around. Anyone have any experience with them?

https://www.boats.com/reviews/chris-craft-catalina-34-decidedly-different/
 
Jus Cruisin said:
As much as I like my 390DA, I'm not using it as it is intended. It's been a day boat for us and I'm thinking that I might move on from it next year. I keep looking at the Chris Craft Catalina 34. I haven't seen one in person just pictures. I like the fact there's a bit of a cabin, 3 across helm seating and there is a full galley option behind the helm (electric grill, solid surface stove top, microwave, freezer and refrigerator). It would be used and it'll likely be a southern boat. Anyway, kicking it around. Anyone have any experience with them?

https://www.boats.com/reviews/chris-craft-catalina-34-decidedly-different/
Click to expand...
I’m kind of feeling the same way. I miss the simplicity and the idea of a 40mph cruise with a 65+ mph “outrun the storm” top end.

I could see myself in another Sea Hunt or a Robalo with twin Yamahas and a hardtop.
 
I will say this, I wouldn't miss all of the maintenance needed to keep mine going, nor the expense. But that sure is a well appointed boat and would be perfect on most days especially if you are using your boat as a day boat now.
 
That Chris Craft would be right in the target area we'd be shopping on our next boat. Right size and amenities with just enough overnight capability to spend a night on the hook. I also like that it's more cruise oriented than fish oriented as we're not much into the fishing thing. Twins would be preferred for economy and maintenance but triples would be more fun.

As you can see from my signature we migrated from a cruiser to a CC three years ago. 24' is the max allowed at our condo but they looked they other way on the 25. After over 30 years of twin engine inboard cruisers it has been a joy owning such a simple and nimble boat. My maintenance, which seemed never-ending before, has dropped to a level it's almost an enjoyable diversion. Cruising at 35mph while burning 2.5mpg seems almost free in retrospect.

We love the CC layout. For cruising the girls all love being upfront and I'm glad they're safer than sitting on the sun pad on top of the cabin, and I can see past them better now. For docking it's a godsend being able to walk the entire length of the boat grabbing a cleat or pylon.

Now that we don't use our boat as a weekend 'condo' we really didn't need the large cabin space anymore.

Looking forward to following your journey.

Speaking of which, if the weather agrees with us, we'll be heading on a 80 mile run down to Sarasota for the weekend in a couple of weeks. Cruise down there at 35mph and then stay at a nice hotel and not worry about what gets flushed down the toilet :)
 
Funny -- I went to a CC last year and still missing my crusier!

But like @copb8tx it's great to have the outboard. You can just tilt out the water, flush and done. And also when we're out, maybe two families with adults and kids, the single level complete walkaround is awesome. I can have 4 in the bow which is great for a 21-footer. I cruise at 25 mph (3500 rpm) and get 4.5 mpg at that speed.

I didn't find the I/O maintenance so bad ... the worst was working down in the bilge on a hot day where you can't get a breeze. Even with a big fan it was brutal. I'd go to an inboard sedan bridge if I could do engine work with the AC going :cool:
 
copb8tx said:
That Chris Craft would be right in the target area we'd be shopping on our next boat. Right size and amenities with just enough overnight capability to spend a night on the hook. I also like that it's more cruise oriented than fish oriented as we're not much into the fishing thing. Twins would be preferred for economy and maintenance but triples would be more fun.

As you can see from my signature we migrated from a cruiser to a CC three years ago. 24' is the max allowed at our condo but they looked they other way on the 25. After over 30 years of twin engine inboard cruisers it has been a joy owning such a simple and nimble boat. My maintenance, which seemed never-ending before, has dropped to a level it's almost an enjoyable diversion. Cruising at 35mph while burning 2.5mpg seems almost free in retrospect.

We love the CC layout. For cruising the girls all love being upfront and I'm glad they're safer than sitting on the sun pad on top of the cabin, and I can see past them better now. For docking it's a godsend being able to walk the entire length of the boat grabbing a cleat or pylon.

Now that we don't use our boat as a weekend 'condo' we really didn't need the large cabin space anymore.

Looking forward to following your journey.

Speaking of which, if the weather agrees with us, we'll be heading on a 80 mile run down to Sarasota for the weekend in a couple of weeks. Cruise down there at 35mph and then stay at a nice hotel and not worry about what gets flushed down the toilet :)
Click to expand...
I have seen them with triples and twins. I haven't seen any kind of performance numbers comparing them. The twins are 350's. The trips are mostly 300's. The boat can run 400's. 400's are too much in my opinion. Not wanting a poker run hot rod.
And yes, I like the CC because it is not fishing first with cruising secondary. I haven't found any others with that galley set up.
 
Yes, I see you had a 27' CC before. Was it single or twin?

I really hate that I'm restricted on the length as my current situation costs me almost nothing a year to use and moving to a high-n-dry is going to add big $$$ to the budget.

Do you keep your current boat behind your house? That would be best of all worlds.
 
Jus Cruisin said:
I have seen them with triples and twins. I haven't seen any kind of performance numbers comparing them. The twins are 350's. The trips are mostly 300's. The boat can run 400's. 400's are too much in my opinion. Not wanting a poker run hot rod.
And yes, I like the CC because it is not fishing first with cruising secondary. I haven't found any others with that galley set up.
Click to expand...
Check out the Tiara 38LS.
 
mdolesh said:
Check out the Tiara 38LS.
Click to expand...
Probably my favorite cross-over boat out there. Walked all over it at the St Pete's boat show. A bit too high for my budget unfortunately. We really liked the 34LS as well except the berth below was tiny. Almost only good for kids.
 
Jus Cruisin said:
As much as I like my 390DA, I'm not using it as it is intended. It's been a day boat for us and I'm thinking that I might move on from it next year. I keep looking at the Chris Craft Catalina 34. I haven't seen one in person just pictures. I like the fact there's a bit of a cabin, 3 across helm seating and there is a full galley option behind the helm (electric grill, solid surface stove top, microwave, freezer and refrigerator). It would be used and it'll likely be a southern boat. Anyway, kicking it around. Anyone have any experience with them?

https://www.boats.com/reviews/chris-craft-catalina-34-decidedly-different/
Click to expand...
I have been on that model a couple times at boat shows. Beautiful boat. Built like a brick shit house. It is very substantial and solid feeling. The closest boat, construction wise, I have seen is the Cruisers 38GLS. The galley option is very cool and well laid out. If my wife ever agrees to move south, the Chris Craft will be my boat.
 
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