[C320-list] Should I buy a C320?

[Dave]

I moved up from a '84 Tanzer 27 (wonderful boat) to a C320 and really 
love it.  It's all sort of relative...having only sailed a small dinghy 
years before, the Tanzer 27 looked like an ocean liner when I first saw 
it on the hard.  After a season,  it looked like a T27 :-)  When I first 
looked at the C320, on the hard, it looked HUGE!  What was I thinking!?! 
But, after a season, well, they do shrink in water.

I single hand the boat almost always.  Your point about the traveler is 
well taken, I just leave it centered (real sailors may take offense).  
The autopilot makes tacking a breeze, so to speak.  There is an autotack 
mode, so I stand in front of the helm, push the autopilot buttons, and 
then just handle the jib sheets as the autopilot tacks the boat thru the 
wind.  Piece of cake.  You'll find the autopilot very helpful.  Not sure 
if you had a tillerpilot or "rope lock" on the Tanzer tiller. Your wife 
will readily take to the wheel...in fact, she has the advantage of not 
having to "unlearn" push right to go left...

I don't have a furling main, though we are a bit envious.  The dutchman 
on the C320 works fine once tweaked.  I actually added a Dutchman on my 
Tanzer; too many hysterical-looking gymnastics wrestling the main on the 
Tanzer.  I never walked away unbloodied.

I don't race the 320, but want to.  I am not competitive, but I really 
hate when other boats pass me;  I'm just not that good of a sailor.  On 
the other hand, the 320 has a very good reputation as a fast boat (in 
the proper hands).  Never noticed a difference between the wing keel on 
the C320 and that big honking piece of iron blade on the bottom of the 
Tanzer...except when sailing in water 5' deep.

The Tanzer is a really heavily built boat. I enjoyed that boat, and 
working on it.   I like the way the C320 is engineered and built.  Very 
roomy cockpit and cabin, beamy, but doesn't feel uh, bloated.  
Straightforward systems.  Fiberglass seems solid throughout.   If you 
ever have a chance, tour the factory.  Really neat and interesting.

The ride is very very solid, and very comfortable compared to the 
Tanzer...it's just bigger and heavier.  The 3 cylinder diesel is great 
(had a 2 cylinder yanmar on the Tanzer), moves the boat well. 

The family and crew will enjoy the boat.  Lots of places to hang out, 
stern rail seats are coveted!  The galley is great whether you're just 
storing a bag lunch and beer, or cooking.  If you overnight on the 
Tanzer, you'll feel as if you went up a few stars on the hotel rating 
aboard the C320.  Very roomy, nice forward and aft berths, nice potty.  
The scoop stern/swim platform was great for the kids.  It's also a nice 
feature if you ever contemplate falling overboard.  Getting back on is 
easy...I could go on, but others have much more experience on the 320 
than I, been with it only 3 or 4 years now.

The best part is this list.  You will learn alot about the boat, 
cooking, mods, fixin' and life in general....

Enjoy your decision!
dave
"Wind Chill" C320



Amirault Family wrote:
> 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 
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