[C320-list] New C320 MarkII

[Allan Field]

Linda and I visited the new C320 Mark II at the Annapolis boat show today.
We were most fortunate that Gerry Douglas was able to join us midway through
our tour and explain things we did not pick up on.  Bottom line for us is
that if we did not own a C320 already and saw this boat for the first time,
we would buy it in a heartbeat.  That said, there are differences that we
observed - some good, some maybe marginal, and some we probably did not
notice given the awful weather today.  But here goes with a list in no
particular order of some of our observations.

The main cabin does not have a mid-hatch.  Rather, there is a hatch midway
in size between the current mid-hatch size and the one in the head, located
above the galley sink.  Immediately forward of that hatch is another of the
same size.   Directly to starboard of the port hatch is another hatch.  This
means 3 deck opening hatches in the main cabin but all smaller than the
current mid-hatch on the centerline.  The hatch in the V-berth appears to be
the same as is current.

The fridge on hull 1198 (first one out of the box) is a front loading
stainless steel refrigerator to starboard and an ice box to port with the
same lid configuration as is current.  Upgrading this unit is an option.  

There is a microwave in the galley.  The sink has a very nicely done plastic
splashguard all the way across the front which protects the Nav station from
water splashes.  The fiddles on the shelves on the starboard and port hull
are larger and higher than current.  Note To Self - see if you can get this
splashguard retrofitted to Sea Shadow.

Engine access from the aft cabin is interesting.  The cover appears to be
wood or wood veneer but sits on a raised box maybe 12 inches high.  This
makes for a smaller and apparently much easier to handle cover although I
did not remove it to see how light it was or just how easily it handles.

This boat had air conditioner ducts already installed.  We saw one in the
head, one in the main cabin and one in the aft cabin along with the return.
There probably is one in the V-berth but we neither looked for nor noticed
it.

There is a small hanging locker in the main salon along the bulkhead between
the V-berth and main salon, port side.  The aft cabin locker seems to be the
same size as current.  The aft cabin still has the large escape/opening
hatch into the cockpit.

The Lewmar-44 winches are recessed into the deck which, at first glance,
made them seem smaller than what we currently have.

There are 3 chain plates coming into the cabin to port and starboard.  There
is only one backstay.  Gerry and I discussed this as it seems to me to be
forward of the current split backstay configuration and may be an obstacle
when sitting to port.  It was so wet that I did not sit down but it does
looks to be at a different angle and could be a nuisance until one gets used
to it.  On my old Ericson, I had a split backstay that came through the
cockpit at about what seemed to be the same angle and I never got used to
it, even after about 15 years.

The top drawer in the galley is still mostly useless.  There is a port light
over the microwave that I believe opens.

I have been told that the V-berth is 4 inches longer.  The local broker told
us that he thought that Gerry picked up a few inches going forward, maybe
sacrificing some of the anchor well.  On Sea Shadow, we have 250 feet of
rope and 100 feet of chain and don't believe that we would miss those 4
inches.  The main cabin also may be an inch or so smaller but these
observations are opinion only.  We did not ask Gerry about this. 

The windlass is mounted vertical and is above deck.  Surprisingly, the life
lines still have vinyl covers.  I thought that Catalina was moving away from
this, based on comments Gerry made at Rendezvous 3 years ago, but they must
have some left over.  And I forgot to ask Gerry about them today.

The rope clutches are Spinlock and seem to be smaller than our current ones.
However, a pet peeve of mine that seems to be satisfied at least on #1198 is
that all lines seem to run fair through the traveler and rope clutches.  If
I am right, raising the main should be easier.  Note that this boat had an
in-mast furling main however.  The spar is not Charleston either.  Gerry
told me the name and it slips my mind for now.

The port side stern seat has a mount for an outboard, something missing on
Sea Shadow, #808.  The non-skid goes all the way back under the stern seats,
certainly a big improvement.  We actually lost a grandson over the slippery
transom under a stern seat last year but fortunately, he was tethered and we
were able to drag him back in!

The tracks on the cabin roof are gone.  As Gerry said, he knows of no one
who used them ever.  I told him that we mounted an adjustable car with a
loop on ours that we clip our halyards to.  But one does not need a couple
hundred dollars worth of track just to attach a halyard to when not in use!

The pedestal is Edson with all gauges in a sitting-down line of sight, a big
improvement.  We almost stand on our heads now to see the engine hours.
Linda really liked the pedestal layout.  There even is a light and switch
mounted on the forward part of the pedestal with the light lighting the deck
- a nice touch.

The air scoops on the transom are replaced with sculpted scoops that are
most attractive.  The overflow for the diesel fuel also is sculpted and
looks nice.

Measurements from the brochure:

Length overall - 34'3"
Length of hull - 32'6"
Length at waterline - 28'0''
Beam - 11'9"
Draft - Fin 6'3", wing 4'4"
Approx weight - fin keel 11,300 lbs; wing 11,700 lbs.
Ballast - fin and wig 4000 lbs
I - 43'7"
J - 12'4"
P - 38'0"
E - 13'3"

Tankage - forgot to ask.  Sorry...

Port list?  We didn't ask and there was too much rocking and rolling from
the northeaster to tell.

As the weekend show goes on, I am sure that others will weigh in with other
observations but again, we would buy this boat.  In summary, I guess the
only thing that gave me a little unease was the backstay however I did not
really test to see if it would be a problem.  We believe that the Mark II is
an improvement over the original and that is the way it should be!  Nice job
Catalina.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of JPMESA at aol.com
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 3:50 PM
To: c320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New C320 MarkII

I remember someone asking about if the MK II will still have the 3' degree  
list. I think he said something like (in good fun): we have to learn to
deal 
with it!  Which I take as no change. JOHN