[C320-list] FW: Improved Bilge

Fri Apr 20 15:11:41 PDT 2007

The deeper bilge (and deeper draft) started around hull #246, according to past discussions.

Here is a link to design changes over the years....

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/C320Docs/C320Changes.htm

Please email me with corrections and/or additions.

Karl Mielenhausen

2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"

New Bern, NC

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/

From: momvan at aol.com [mailto: momvan at aol.com]

To: c320-list at catalina320.com

Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:29:25 -0400

Subject: [C320-list] Improved Bilge

What year or hull number did the newer or deeper bilge appear?  -----Original Message-----From: brer at adelphia.netTo: c320-list at catalina320.comSent: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:49 AMSubject: Re: [C320-list] SeaworthinessI must commend you on taking an early 320 more than a few feet from the dock. The bilge system in these is an absolute joke. Any water that leaks anywhere on this boat goes under the floor pan, not the so called bilge. The only water that does go to this so called bilge is from the stuffing box, but be careful if the hoses that enter are not sealed, the water will leak OUT of the bilge. Who in their right mind would design a boat with this joke of a bilge? And yes, I bought one of these follies, my bad for not checking the bilge system out, but I never in my wildest dreams would believe someone would design something like this. Looks to me like Frank and the boys need to get out of the boat business and design bathtubs. So anyone thinking about buying an early 320 
think again or you will be removing the sole and drilling holes to get the water out. Seaworthiness? You be the judge. But Larry I'm glad you had a good trip sounds like fun.Don  ---- Larry Frank <WindSwept at stx.rr.com> wrote: =============I sailed my 320 across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Veracruz, MX in aregatta during the summer of 2006.  That trip and others in the Gulf ofMexico along the Texas coast in the in rather snotty weather have helped meform opinions about the 320s seaworthiness.  My observations:1.  Good seamanship trumps all other considerations.  Or said another way inany boat bad decisions or poor preparation can and probably will lead toproblems and disaster.  2.  Tracking is a weak point.  Big seas on a beam or broad reach push therather broad stern around rather easily.  Proper sail balance is critical.I have the wing keel; perhaps this is better with the fin.  Anyways,steering by autopilot in large seas is not effective.  Manual steering willwear out 
crew quickly.  Could a wind vane be mounted?  3.  Fuel capacity is low.  Most people carry jerry cans and while thisworks, it is less than optimal.4.  Structurally, the hull and rigging, if properly maintained will take alicking and keep on ticking.  I never had problems or concerns here, andhave had complements from knowledgeable and experienced crew on this point.5.  Open transom is a huge plus, at least in my opinion.  When we purchasedWindSwept, this was a concern to me.  After getting pooped going downwind in35 knots and big seas in the gulf and watching the water drain out in acouple of seconds, I completely changed my opinion of this feature.6.  For serious offshore work, some modifications and additions to the basic320 are prudent.  What you need to do will somewhat be a function of whatmodel year you have since Catalina makes improvements in design as a modelmatures. I believe the person who told you "you might want a larger boat" wascompletely accurate.  I'd like a 
larger boat too for this type of sailing.However, the question should be can you do what you want to do in the boatyou have now?  Unless you own the Queen Mary, there are always larger, morecapable boats.LarryWind Swept Catalina 320 #246-----Original Message-----From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert SeastreamSent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:02 PMTo: C320-ListSubject: Re: [C320-list] SeaworthinessI've often wondered why, not long ago (~20 years) people did crossings in ~25 foot boats, yet these days upwards of 40 feet is indicated.Recently, while discussing going to Bermuda in my 320 (off list), I was told I might want a larger boat like the above.Bob Seastream'Intuition' hull 906On Apr 19, 2007, at 9:12 AM, pat reynolds wrote:> If any have wondered about ocean crossing on a 320, it> would probably be safer than the google map> directions for a new york to paris, france trip,> particularly direction # 23 at 
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