[C320-list] Grid liner & bilge design question - newer vs. olderissues

[Rick Sulewski]

Sean,

I have hull # 277 since 1995 with a shallow bilge and have no problems with
water since I been using Teflon coated packing material and annually add
Teflon lubricant to the packing nut when I adjust the nut to reduce (almost
totally eliminates) water from entering the bilge. I also sealed off the
other segments of the bilge from gaining access to any water from the
packing nut.

I understand (but can not confirm) that the earlier hulls are faster because
of the shallow bilges (possibly lower wetted surface?).

In this economy I would go with the lowest cost per pound of any boat that
you can purchase in good/better condition!

Rick

My-Ria #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Sean Kaldor
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 4:20 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Grid liner & bilge design question - newer vs.
olderissues

I'm choosing between two 320s... a 1994 vintage and a 1997 vintage.
 
One of the design differences between the two is the grid liner and bilge
set-up. As  I understand from this site, a deeper bilge with better weep
holes to drain the pan was added around hull #246 (late 1995). And all hulls
up to #355 have a technical reference bulletin about the need to drill
access and drain holes throughout the grid liner for regular draining to the
bilge, inspection, etc.
 
So my questions are ... are these changes/improvements important, or are
they just footnotes in the design history? If you have an earlier design, is
the grid water draining an issue - did you drill the holes, does water
collect? If you could choose between a pre-246 hull and a post 355 hull,
would this even be a consideration? Is there any long-term effect on the
structural grid members? 
 
I'm curious about your experiences and opinions.
 
Thanks!
 
Sean
Hull #TBD