[C320-list] Seaworthiness
Kirk McCullough
kirk.mccullough at telus.net
Fri Apr 20 14:58:22 PDT 2007
Don is right of course, it's a poor design, that has been corrected, and I
think Don is over stating things.
We've sailed many hundreds of miles every year, since we got the boat in
1998. If water gets in, it drains back to bilge when i pull the plug out. My
boat has drain holes that allow that. I just keep the plug in at the bilge
unless I need to drain water, like last summer when a thru hull broke at
sea. We shipped over 50 gallons before i could stem the flow. The bilge pump
cleared it out quickly and easily. Didn't even need to use the manual pump
to keep up.
It's a small design error that I've had no problems living with. I know I
can get the water out of the boat.
Let's not overstate the issue. I would buy another older 320 even knowing
all about this issue with no hesitation. It's just not a big deal. The 320
has so many great qualities that just put the shallow bilge issue in its
place as "not a biggie". Now the port list, that's a whole other thing. :)
Kirk McCullough
Boomerang #124
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Clancy" <SAILORPETE at msn.com>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seaworthiness
In my enjoyable nine years of owning and sailing an early C320 (#222) with
the shallow bilge, I never experienced any major problem with the bilge
configuration. Our sailing included many races in heavy weather and several
blue water crossings to the Bahamas. A dripless seal or drip free packing
will eliminate the most common source of water accumulation in the bilge. I
cannot agree with the writer of this email.
Peter Clancy
Former owner 'AROBAN' #222
Miami, FL
----- Original Message -----
From: brer at adelphia.net<mailto:brer at adelphia.net>
To: C320-List<mailto:c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seaworthiness
I 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<mailto:WindSwept at stx.rr.com>>
wrote:
=============
I sailed my 320 across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Veracruz, MX in a
regatta during the summer of 2006. That trip and others in the Gulf of
Mexico along the Texas coast in the in rather snotty weather have helped
me
form opinions about the 320s seaworthiness. My observations:
1. Good seamanship trumps all other considerations. Or said another way
in
any boat bad decisions or poor preparation can and probably will lead to
problems and disaster.
2. Tracking is a weak point. Big seas on a beam or broad reach push the
rather 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
will
wear out crew quickly. Could a wind vane be mounted?
3. Fuel capacity is low. Most people carry jerry cans and while this
works, it is less than optimal.
4. Structurally, the hull and rigging, if properly maintained will take a
licking and keep on ticking. I never had problems or concerns here, and
have had complements from knowledgeable and experienced crew on this
point.
5. Open transom is a huge plus, at least in my opinion. When we
purchased
WindSwept, this was a concern to me. After getting pooped going downwind
in
35 knots and big seas in the gulf and watching the water drain out in a
couple of seconds, I completely changed my opinion of this feature.
6. For serious offshore work, some modifications and additions to the
basic
320 are prudent. What you need to do will somewhat be a function of what
model year you have since Catalina makes improvements in design as a model
matures.
I believe the person who told you "you might want a larger boat" was
completely 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 boat
you have now? Unless you own the Queen Mary, there are always larger,
more
capable boats.
Larry
Wind Swept Catalina 320 #246
-----Original Message-----
From:
c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com>
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert Seastream
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 3:02 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Seaworthiness
I'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 906
On 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 www.google.com<http://www.google.com/>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com<http://mail.yahoo.com/>
>
--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.5.5/769 - Release Date: 4/19/2007
5:56 PM
More information about the C320-list
mailing list