[C320-list] Handling chop & short period waves

[Jim Sweet]

The "Fat Ass" is one of the major reasons that we bought our 320.  We had a 
Pearson 332 that we loved but a bad back made the back flip to get out of 
the v berth difficult to do and the spacious berth in the aft cabin of the 
320 solved that issue.  The larger cockpit also was a plus.  Overall, the 
spec's on the two boats were almost the same.

Jim Sweet
TGIF (Thank God It Floats) 901
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brad Kuether" <bkuether at comcast.net>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Handling chop & short period waves


> Mike,
>
> I moved up from a C&C 29 Mark II.  On that boat the upper Chesapeake chop 
> was nuts.  Of course that boat is light as a feather.
>
> We have younger children as well and a comfortable ride was a top 
> priority. I can assure you, that once we moved to the Cat 320, I never 
> heard "why is this fun?" in anything we have come across since.
>
> I LOVE the fat ass of the Cat 320 when it comes to accomondations.  We 
> live on the boat during the weekend and don't feel crowded.  I will admit 
> that rear quarter chop can get un-nerving.
>
> Now I came from a racing boat and will tell you that the wing keel is a 
> compromise.  However I was very surprised that with the 150 up, I can 
> point pretty high.  Of course my C&C could actually sail directly into the 
> wind, (or so it seemed) so this is a pretty good endorsement.
>
> I have never sailed a 34 and I have not matched one back into the river. 
> However the 320 is fairly fast once the wind gets cranking.  Light wind 
> performance is so so, I am putting a feathering prop on this year to make 
> up for that.
>
> Good luck with your decision and if you want to "try before you buy" you 
> are welcome to the Baltimore area.  Between us likely 25 some boats in the 
> northern Chesapeake.  I am sure someone will give you a "test sail".  :)
>
> -Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
> "Independence"
> 2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
> Middle River, MD
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mike Barrowman" <watercayman at hotmail.com>
> To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 9:29 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] Handling chop & short period waves
>
>
>
> Hi folks,
>
> My first post here - please forgive me if I've done this wrong.
>
> My family currently has a C250 which we are selling, looking for a larger 
> boat.  I've narrowed the list to the C320 and the C34, leaning toward the 
> 320.  I will need to sail (or have sailed) the boat from the US upon 
> purchase to Cayman, so it needs to be able to handle the trip -- which I 
> believe the 320 can, and know for sure the 34 can.  Any comments?
>
> 90% of my sails will be day sails solo, and it seems the 320 is a good 
> boat for this.  But, with my wife and young daughter on the boat, one of 
> my key needs is a boat that handles chop well.  Our current 250 bounces 
> over the waves a bit too much, which prevents my daughter from enjoying 
> it.  Our bay is very shallow and typical winds of 15kts build very short 
> period 1-2 foot waves.  How would the 320 handle these conditions?  The 
> weight of the 250 is only 4K #, so I'm hopeful the 11K # 320 will slice 
> right through, but after searching the archive, I'm not sure I've seen a 
> direct comment on this.
>
> Many thanks,
> Mike
>
>
>
>