[C320-list] Some General Questions

[warren updike]

Larry, 
RUDDER: We've sailed #62 for 5 seasons and had a few groundings with our
wing keel.  Most are in mud; but, one was on rock. This unfortunate event
occurred whilst entering Turner Cr. on the Sassafras R.  We were too far to
stbd at the mouth of Turner and got hung on rocks with a falling tide. We
tried a kedge and a tow. Finally, resolved to wait out the tide. 

Things are different with a wing keel on the ground. Assuming you grounded
at low speed, I've found the best remedy is to quickly reverse and with lots
of power just back-off the way you came in. The back-wash from the prop also
seems to help by pushing some of the soft bottom away from your keel as the
broad flat base of the wing may tend to create a suction that the back-wash
helps to lessen.

Artificial heel is not helpful as the wing prevents a forced heel from being
an advantage. As for tow, again, use the tow to turn your bow to deeper
water. On the mud, the boat seems to rotate rather easily on the flat of the
wing. Same with a kedge: set the anchor in deeper water, run the rode
forward to the bow cleat if you need to turn her, and crank it on a primary
winch, then continue to crank.  If you are feeling ANY resistance in the
rudder STOP. Don't attempt to turn against the rudder.  Likewise, if you
feel/hear any noise or vibration like the rudder is on a rock or other
obstruction, wait out the tide if you can.

Even so, with the wave motion and my furtive attempts to get un-grounded, I
did manage to wear off enough of the bottom of the keel to warrant repair.
This I found out once the boat was hauled in the fall. On the recommendation
of an old salt familiar with Catalina boats, I allowed the keel to drain and
dry, then sealed it with a thick coat of unfilled epoxy, then overcoated
with filled epoxy and painted. Not a major repair. Obviously, the tip did
not snap-off; and, I never heard that spoken of before.

Finally, unlimited towing insurance is a must as a tow can easily cost $1k
and more.  Also, check the BoatUS web site for information on assistance vs.
salvage and make sure you know the difference.  They even have a std. short
form salvage agreement that is handy to have on-board just in case.

SINGLE HANDED TACK: This is probably not done easily without an autopilot. I
stand in front of the pedestal with both sheets in-hand. Then, press the
stbd or port 1deg and 10deg buttons at the same time. This gives a tack of
100 deg. Depending on my point of sail, I may even give another 10 or 20
degree bump, then let the autopilot make the turn while you hand the sheets.

The 320 is a great easy-sailing boat. Most are very happy with them

Warren & Pattie Updke
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay


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