[C320-list] Should I buy a C320?

[Stanley Rogacevicz]

Brian,
   Well..... it's good to see that Jeff H. out on the Sailnet List (not
our own beloved Jeff Hare here) didn't dissuade you from at least
talking to some C320 owners with his daily Catalina bashing.
  In looking over the other postings I have to comment on the quality
issue raised by someone 'down under'. As confirmed to me by Gerry
Douglas a few years ago the dealerships are expected to take an active
role in quality control so if you end up with a dealer not willing to
take warrantee issues seriously then the system doesn't work as designed
and the new buyer suffers.
   I added a link to my little section of the c320 web site which shows
my - crude as is may be - solution to the traveler adjustment issue and
also my movement of the winches -
http://www.catalina320.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album11
   Take a look around at the whole site and you'll see more information
in a couple hours than you will get in a lifetime from anything that the
'better' boats Jeff is always promoting. A Catalina comes with a built
in support system of thousands of owners.
Stan
formerly 'Christy Leigh' #656
Wickford/Narragansett Bay RI 

>>> "Amirault Family" <amiraults at sympatico.ca> 11/30/2006 6:53 PM >>>
Greetings:
I am considering moving up from a 1981 Tanzer 8.5 to a 2004 C320 which
has a
furling main. I have no experience with furling mains and I would
appreciate
comments from owners of this main furling system regarding the
operation and
reliability of the furler.
Any incidental general pro/con comments on the C320 would be
appreciated, as
I am also considering new Hanse 315, Bavaria 30, Catalina 309 and used
Bavaria 32.
I race JAM; not well but the crew and I have a great time. I am looking
for
something which is as fun to sail as my 8.5 but has more comfort in
preparation for retirement in 5 years, while my spouse is looking for
a
floating cottage. It also needs to be something which is easy to sail
as my
spouse has some minor mobility issues and it always distresses me to
watch
her go forward to handle the main (she won't helm, never having
overcome the
perceptual disjunct of forcing the tiller left to go right).  At the
same
time I single hand and it is something I don't want to give up as it is
the
only activity I do not by committee.
I do stress that I have suggested investing in a cottage rather than a
different boat, but she doesn't want an on land cottage. She enjoys
the
sailing experience as long as heel doesn't exceed 15 degrees. So a
stiff
boat with an easily controlled sail plan is a must. 
In relation to that, with the traveler on the coach roof, how do you
adjust
the traveler and ease the main sheet from the wheel? I do note that
the
primary winches appear out of reach of the helm, but for the money
saved by
a 2004 C320 over an 2007 C309 there's cash left over to install a
second
winch set at the wheel for sails alone.
 We sail the Ottawa River in Canada's capitol. You are never more than
a
mile from some shore, and the navigable stretch we're in runs 26 miles.
We
expect to move our boat to the Great Lakes in five years. We overnight
now,
but I want to do a lot more of that; while my spouse has stated with
finality that she will never stay on a boat for more than 7 days at a
stretch. Having a wheel may allow her more participation in the
sailing
experience and the amenities of the C320 may change her mind about
cruise
duration.
Thanks;
Brian