During this time, we also looked at Cals, Island Packets, Calibers, Tartans, Nordics, etc. There are alot of older Catalina s around, particularly 30s, that do not have any major problems. For where we sail on Cheasepeak Bay, the Catalina is problably one of the better boats including performance, room, etc. The only reason we did not look at the Catalina 34 first was because I did not want a wing keel. The keel has not been problem.
People are all over the place on engine hours.
With today's modern engines that is nothing as long as the oil is clean and water stays out of the pistons. My neighborhood has a 1962 Triton with the original Atomic 4 engine. He has never done major work on the motor - probably luck. The Universal is a marinized Kubuta stationary motor that is used for generators and tractors. 2,300 hours translates to using the motor about 200 hours a year.