1988 Catalina 34

With new standing rigging (2022), Garmin plotter and electronics package (2023), new headsail (2023), new autopilot and transmission  (2024), and numerous other updates since 2021Vela is a classic example of the fine and enduring Catalina 34. Her current owners have sailed her up the East Coast and throughout New England, and she's proven a solid, reliable and swift cruiser. Her most costly updates have been done so you can start fresh with these improvements!

Well set up for single-handing, she sails beautifully on all points of sail and loves a lively downwind run. She has two private cabins fore and aft, and two single settee-berths in the salon. Vela has a new Norcold DC-powered refrigerator (2026) to supplement her large icebox. A Cruisair reverse cycle AC/heat system operates well on shore power, and there are numerous interior fans and great ventilation on anchor or mooring. Her interior upholstery was replaced in 2020-21 by a prior owner.

For sail management, Vela has a lazy jack/stackpack and a Bamar furler for her headsail, along with a whisker pole for her asymmetrical spinnaker, which was barely used by her current or former owners. She also has a two-point reefing system. Her aluminum spars were painted in 2023. She received a new bimini and dodger in 2020-21; she also comes with a canvas winter cover. Winter storage is paid through May 2027.

Available for negotiation are a 2025 West Marine 8' inflatable dinghy and Honda 2.5 outboard.

More update details:

Fuel injectors (2026)
Rule bilge pump (2026)
New fuel injector (2026)
Exhaust elbow inspected/serviced, flange gasket replaced (2026)
Heat exchanger serviced/flushed (2026)
Transmission replaced (2025)
Raymarine EV100 Autopilot (2025)
Jabsco freshwater pump (2025)
Holding tank vent installed (2025)
Alternator rebuild (2025)
Transmission replacement (2024)
A/C Thru-hull replacement (2024)
Tachometer (2023) (old tachometer has been retained to show engine hours before replacement)
Galvanic isolater (2023)
New headsail (2023)
Outhaul replaced (2024)
Standing rigging (2022)
New exhaust hose (2022)
New shifter cable (2022)
Transmission cable (2022)
Fuel line shutoff (2022)
Rocna 33lb anchor 2022; secondary plow anchor

Running rigging updates:
Headsail halyard
Furling line
Traveler lines (purchased, ready for install)

Accommodation:
Aft cabin double berth
Aft access to engine battery, aft engine/transmission, fuel tank
Aft cabin storage locker, shelving
Forward v-berth with mattress insert
Storage drawers and locker
Controls for AC/Heat
Two DC fans

Salon/head
New navy cushions, upholstery, 2020-2021
Extensive storage cabinets port and starboard; hanging glass holder
Storage behind/under settees
Starboard AC plumbing/thru hull
Starboard settee/fixed teak dining table with drop hinge
Port settee, storage behind and below
Two fuse panels; wiring in place for stereo
Manual Raritan head
Overhead hatch, two mirrors
Shower attachment can feed through hatch to portside deck

Galley:
Propane stove; tank stored in port cockpit locker
Double stainless sink
Ice box
Norcold refrigerator
Fully equipped


Engine:
M25XP Universal, 23HP
Prior owner engine rebuild around 2000
Transmission replaced (2024)
Hours: ~1,000(392 shown on tach in 2021, we believe this reflects 'since rebuild' but unclear. Hours tracked manually for one year until tach replacement 2025)
New fuel injectors (2026)
New flange gasket for exhaust elbow (2026)
Exhaust hoses (2022)

Electrical
Interstate 27 Group starting battery (2026)
(4) 6V Group 27 batteries (2023)
Battery charger
(1) 110V rigid solar panel, bimini mounted
Zantrex controller
Battery charter
Galvanic isolator
Windlass ready; wiring to V-berth remains after a prior owner removed a windlass.

Rigging
Battened mainsail (adequate condition)
Stackpack, lazy jacks
135 genoa (2023, Southeast Asia Sails)
Outhaul replaced (2024)
Bamar furler (2008)
Dynema topping lift (2024)
Two furling points, lines lead to cockpit
Keel-stepped mast

On Deck 
Beige dodger and bimini, new 2020-2021
Cockpit cushions
Canvas covers for pedestals, winches
Teak cockpit table
Coaming cubbies (2)
Raised helm seat
Rocna 33lb anchor (2023)
35 ft chain (2023); 150 rode
Manual Whale bilge pump
Emergency tiller
Swim ladder

Electronics
Garmin chart plotter at helm, wi-fi ready (new 2023)
Garmin wind, depth, speed (new 2023), mounted above companionway
Standard Horizon VHF
Handheld Standard Horizon radio
GPS

Other:

Six traditional PFDs
Forehatch windscoop
Extensive extra parts (electrical, plumbing fittings/hoses/valves, fuel lift pump, engine parts, filters, rigging blocks/tackles and related parts)
First aid kids, galley equipment.

Additional consideration: 8' West Marine Inflatable Dinghy (2025) Honda 2.5 4 stroke outboard

Disclosures:

Non-working water heater removed
Forward hatch (Lewmar) hinges need replacement
2-inch non-skid scrape near aft bimini frame attachment, where frame came loose over winter
Topside dings indicate possible new paint or vinyl
Starboard freshwater inlet was adapted by prior owner with a hose valve, for direct dock water plumbing
Fuel gauge not operational
Some lighting and GFCI outlets need updating