[C320-list] Should I buy a C320?

[Robert Seastream]

We recently (November 2005) bought our 2002 C320, and love it.  While 
we'd all like new boats, I strongly advocate used vs new since the 
money saved can be spent better elsewhere.  Case in point:  the only 
'major' options I'm aware our boat had at purchase were a Garmin 183C 
chartplotter, in mast furling main, three bladed prop, and a custom 
boat cover.  The engine had 57 hours on it.  We paid $89K.  New, the 
boat is closer to $119K, perhaps more.

As far as I know, you do have to leave the helm to adjust the 
traveler/main but it sounds like you've got that remedied.  I like the 
mast furling main although I miss having battens.  Also, in the event 
of a furler failure (however rare) the only way I can see to secure the 
main would be to lash it to the mast, and one can only reach so high.  
Boom furling would be better, in case of failure you could lash the 
main to the boom.  In other news, the Yanmar diesel is a bit noisy, 
extra soundproofing remedies that.

As to retirement aboard, my wife and I hope to retire in about 10 
years.  While we enjoy ourselves now on the 320, we think it lacks 
enough freshwater and dry goods storage for anything more than about a 
month, even when 'port hopping'.  As such, we're considering a 400 for 
our retirement, since we'll be wintering about six months aboard then.  
Keep in mind this is just one couples opinion, in their first season of 
320 ownership.

I've sailed on Catalinas, Cape Dorys, Hunters, and others.  I think you 
get the most bang for your buck with Catalina.  They're strong, safe 
boats, and make excellent coastal (and further) cruisers.  Their 
capabilities are limited primarily by the crew and provisions you carry 
between ports.

Make sure you have any boat professionally surveyed.  Good luck with 
your search.

Bob Seastream
'Intuition'
Hull 906


On Nov 30, 2006, at 6:53 PM, 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>