A quick note for fans of the CAL 34...

Being that  there are a few admirers of the CAL 34 who read VolksCruiser I'll point out there's a real cheap 1968 CAL 34 for sale in the San Diego area. No idea of the condition but, apparently, it floats right side up.

At $500 it's worth checking out.

an old boat to start the year with...

I know I've talked about the Bill Lapworth designed CAL 34 more than a time or two but it is the boat I happen to be sitting on while writing this. 

Back in 1969, when “So it Goes” was new, the boat sold for $15,950. or thereabouts. Today, a turnkey CAL 34 in good shape with no actual issues will set you back somewhere around $15K. Considering it’s a fifty-three-year-old boat, that says a lot.

The CAL 34 is a great example of what makes sense in a VolksCruiser. It sails well with good accommodation and has a reasonable draft (five foot). Plus, it looks like what most folks think a boat should look like.

Truth is, the boat is, all things considered, a pretty brilliant design. Bill Lapworth's use of space is quite the optimum layout, and you’d find that coming up with something better is nigh on impossible. I know I’ve tried to no avail.

I’ll add that the whole looking like what most folks consider a boat’s supposed to look like is no bad thing. Blending in to keep a low profile makes sense for low budget nomadic VolksCruiser folk.

Like most boats of the late 60s and early 70s, the CAL was a well-built sailboat. Their longevity is testament to that fact. Sure, the interior had little in the way of bespoke carpentry, but competently done. Far too many people confuse anything less than a high end furniture finish as somehow being deficient. On a cruising boat, a durable and easily maintained finish just makes a lot more sense.

The mistake most people make when working on a boat like the CAL 34 is to forget just how good a design it is and try to morph the boat into something it’s not. Of course, if you really feel that you need a Hallberg-Rassy you should get one. Trying to make a CAL 34 into a new Hallberg-Rassy is a lost cause you'd want to avoid unless your kink is of the yacht induced masochism variety.

As far as things go, the best practice concerning classic plastic sailboats is to keep the boat as close to what it looked like back when it was new. You might find that getting a brochure is a big help.

Well, maybe best not to emulate the plaid upholstery.

Next up are some changes that would make sense…

Speaking of VolksCruisers...

I've always thought that Bill Lapworth's CAL 28 is a great boat. It's always been on my nearly perfect VolksCruiser list as it embodies excellent performance, a good quality build, and it's affordable.

As it happens, a new (to me at least) channel on YouTube recently did a video on a CAL 28 that's for sale that you might want to check out.

Truth be told if that boat was down here I'd be all over it.

Is $500 a good deal or what?

A CAL 27 for not a lot of money over at Sailboat Listings...

a project boat for sure but...

A reader of VolksCruiser just wrote to mention he picked up a CAL 27 for $300 and that it floats right side up...

Lots and lots of deals out there.

So, what are you waiting for?

On why you don't have to pay $150K for a 34-foot sailboat...

Every once in awhile I check out what CAL 34s are going for...

One reason I do it is I like to see what others have done to their CALs and I like knowing what the current going rate of CAL 34s happens to be.

For those who might be curious, there are quite a few Cal 34s in seemingly OK to good condition in the $8-10K zone, a handful of straightforward fixer uppers in the $3-5K bracket, and a few pretty awesome examples of Lapworth's genius for around $15-27K.

An $8000 CAL 34 from Craigslist

I expect you'll find the same sort of pricing with most models of US-built, classic plastic of the same ilk from the late sixties and early seventies.

You know what?

This makes me happy because just about anyone can get a decent seaworthy boat and from where I sit that's a good thing.

On not striking while the iron is hot...

I almost bought a boat recently...

Not, in fact, the project I have been hinting about but a boat that simply seemed like a real good deal. I figured I could fix it up as part of a book and DVD project then turn around and sell it for a small fair profit.

Seemed like a plan!

As it happens, the boat in question was a very nice little CAL 27 which, is a fairly interesting Bill Lapworth design.  Well actually, the term CAL 27 covers four different designs (CAL27, CAL 2-27, CAL 3-27, and the T2) all pretty cool variations on a theme in the minimal blue water cruising on a budget niche.

The first CAL27 is similar to the legendary CAL28, a flat top with a pop-top for added head room...

Not quite the boat that the CAL 28 is but it still has a lot of great points and, as it is not a "classic CAL", is just perfect for someone who is not inhibited by the idea of making some serious changes to stuff that might involve a Sawzall!

The CAL 2-27 & 3-27 are more normal in the CAL 29 and CAL34 mold... Good boats with no vices... What's not to like?

The T2, on the other hand, tends to be a little freaky at first but, in my case, I found the modified for the half ton rule + cruising design changes really grew on me. An odd look for sure but it just may be one of the all time great pocket blue water cruisers that no one knows about...

Anyway, while I thought, pondered, and rethought the pros and cons of buying the boat someone else who knew what they want when they see it picked it up for a song. A reminder that life is short and excellent opportunities don't hang around very long!

Some short list musing...

Remember I talked to Tad Roberts recently and how he's working on a new series of frugal Future Cruisers in 28 - 54 foot...

The 28-foot Future Cruiser is everything a couple needs but, I expect, most folks would be more interested in the 34 or 38 foot versions. Personally I expect the 38 footer would be on my short list (all those guitars have to go somewhere) but I'll admit that the concept of a really simple 54-foot design along these lines has me some kind of interested... That said, in the 38-foot Future Cruiser I'd more than likely make some changes (which is half the advantage of building your own boat as nothing is set in stone as long as you're willing to accept the possibility of getting it wrong)!

What changes would I make? Well for one, I'd look seriously at bringing out the coachroof to the hull sides as I've always wanted a flush deck boat (White Squall, the one-off CAL 40 is, and has always been, in my top five favorite boats) and the added strength would be no bad thing. I like the rig as drawn but I can't help thinking that a high aspect balanced lug schooner with jib would seriously rock the house and surprise a whole lot of folks on a performance level... That said, just as it is, it is some seriously awesome boat! But, nothing goes on the short list till I've seen what Mr Roberts has in mind for the 54-foot Future Cruiser! For those who want a glimpse at the wonderfulness that is White Squall...