Restoring a 34' Californian LRC

Hello All. I just bought a 1981 Californian Trawler with Cat 3208 engines. It needs a bit of TLC and I am looking forward to the project. *Good to find a website dedicated to trawlers. Does anyone have any photos of a californian with a hardtop above the flybridge helm? Or any good rescource for finding lots of photos of these boats? Thanks.

Gabriel,
Welcome aboard! No help from me on your pics but I am sure you will find the board to be a great source of help on your project. Are you on the North Shore? We have a few guys in the forum grom Louisiana, myself included.

Yes I live in Mandeville although I travel extensively for work. I bought the boat last week in destin. The boat is halfway back from destin at dauphin island marina right now. I will be docking the boat in mandeville or madisonville. The boat needs lots of cosmetic work. All mechanical systems are working, but she isn't very pretty right now.

Congrats on the new boat.

I was considering a hardtop to replace my FB bimini, but got scared away by the $10,000 price tag. I've never seen one but I like the idea.

In the past, I have scoured the Yachtworld listings for 34 Californians and found many pics of features I'd like to incorporate into my boat. Maybe you'd have some luck there. Good luck with the cosmetic surgery

Gabriel,
Did you get that girl home?

Thanks for the kind comments. I'll keep looking.

Not yet. I have been out of town for work. Wish I had been able to get it all the way home. I ran out of time to move it and ended up leaving it at Dauphin Island Marina for the month. Will get it the rest of the way home around April 20th.

Just got the boat safely back from Dauphin island. Her new home is at Salty's in Madisonville. from there I will begin making it all pretty again.

Excellent! I would rather see a ship pulled back into shape any day. We are a visual bunch. Post some pics of your progress if you can.

Good luck with your restoration. You will find that the Californian is an excellent investment and will return your care to you in many more years of good service.

How's the restoration coming?

It's coming ok although I haven't been home much recently. The rub rails are almost finished refinishing although I had to stop on the last few coats of Bristol finish with the onset of winter. I plan on refinishing the doors next month when I'm home. Also, the air conditioners were both placed on the starboard side forward in the engine room blocking access around the side of the starboard engine. Does anyone in the forum know a good marine aircon guy on the northshore? Also a place around the new orleans area that gives a decent price on haulout?

I will be following this thread. I haven't found the right 34 Californian yet. Hopefully I will in the near future.
Al I think a hardtop would be a great addition to this model boat. But I need to find the right boat yet so I have a ways to go.
Bill

Billy,* I see you are from LEH,** We dock our boat in Toms River.* Not too many Californians in this neck of the woods.

Are all the 34s twin engine?* Is that what you like about them?

Just curious.* JohnP

John, I believe most 34 Californians are twins, I think I have seen only seen twins for sale. I like the hull type and the lines of the boat. Sort of a cross between a Sedan and a Trawler.
I have never seen any in Barnegat or LEH in the last 6 seasons since I started boating there.
Bill

Bill,* Are Californians planing boats?* How fast do you need your boat to go?

JohnP

I would like to have the ability to do 12-14 knots but would like 7-8 knots to be my cruising speed. I understand the one's with CATs will do that and a bit more.
My 40SB will do 30 knots at 65GPH per engine.
Then again I would be satisfied with a pair of the small Perkins.
Bill

-- Edited by Billylll on Monday 14th of March 2011 05:40:34 PM

Billylll wrote:


My 40SB will do 30 knots at 65GPH per engine.

What doe's your 40SB burn at 7knots?

JohnP

Click to expand...

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Billylll wrote:My 40SB will do 30 knots at 65GPH per engine.
*

Click to expand...

2011 (general) - 65 gph X 2 engines = 130 gph X $4.00 +/- per gal*= $520.00 per hr :/ 30 knts = $17.33 cost per mile!* At that rate a 1000 mile trip would cost $17,330.00
*
1963 (in LI, NY) - 65 gph X 2 engines = 130 gph X $0.19 +/- per gal*= $22.80 per hr :/ 30 knts = $0.76 cost per mile!* At that rate a 1000 mile trip would cost $760.00 Approx 1/20^th the cost of today.*
*
Just had to compare notes... times have changed, and are even more quickly changing... to say the least.*
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Caveat: Other boaters calculations may differ from my quick figures. *Diesel*price of $0.19 is as I recall in NY summer 1963 (when I was 11 yrs old be kind... LOL).* $4.00 2011 fuel*price may just be the beginning of fuel cost increase.
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In conclusion; I offer my deepest concern and best wishes to all persons in Japan. *And, I hope the trade winds / jet stream do not bring too much nuclear fallout to U.S. Pacific shore, unfortunately the potential exists.* *Mother Natures sudden belches can become a REAL Bitch!*
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There is a way to supply the entire world with clean electricity to keep the lights lit and refridge cold... and all the net carbon neutral petrol needed to keep the*over 1B vehicles running... more will be revealed as items progress.* Success is around the corner.* NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!* NEVER STOP INVENTING!
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In the mean time Keep On Boaten!* Ya just gotta luv it!! - Art

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Maninboat, Anything new to report on your restoration? Got that wood shining in the sun?