[C320-list] 2 things I didn't like about Catalina 355

[Jon Vez]

Annie,

I have a vested interest in your assessment and opinions as I did trade my
beloved 320 in for the 355. I haven't sailed my hull yet as there have been
delays with dealer/weather. We had no intention buying a new boat, but we
fell in love with her as soon as we started really crawling through and made
the leap. Only time will tell if we made the correct choice. Your
observations are correct in comparing to the C34. If you compare the
dimensions, it is almost exactly the same as the 34. The length of the hull
is actually 34.6" and the beam is only 3" wider than our 320 (same as the
34). The beam is also almost 4" lower than our 320s...

Regards,

Jon Vez
Formerly 320 #582 (still dues paying member of 320 site :)
Solstice #17 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Annie Bennett
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 8:27 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] 2 things I didn't like about Catalina 355

I was lucky enough to go to the Sanctuary Cove Boatshow in last month to
take a look at the new Catalina 355.  I liked it very much and thought I'd
sent an email with my personal opinions.  There were just two things I
thought weren't quite right:-

1.	Under the engine box - As far as I could see, there didn't appear to
be a contained area under the engine box to hold any oil or fuel leaks and
prevent them leaking towards the bilge. The Catalina shipwright said he
could easily make a fibreglass wall to hold any spills but it seemed like
something for the factory.

2.	Traveller - you could flick it up and out of it's cleat as normal
but the angle of the coach roof meant you couldn't flick it back down again
into the cleat and would have to put your fingers right up to the cleat.
The shipwright said he could mount blocks under the traveller to raise it up
to solve this but again, easier done at the factory.

Is there a way of raising these issues direct with the factory?

Now for the long list of things I liked:-

1.	Ladder over engine box is easy to remove & lid ontop of engine box
hinges up to allow access (slightly awkward but ok ) to dipstick without
having to remove engine box.

2.	Engine seacock,  the big R20TUL Racor fuel filter, the see through
strainer and the coolant bottle all easily visible and accessible through a
little door in the head.

3.	Mattress layout in aft cabin goes athwartships like in older C32s so
easier to put one on top of other to get at propellor shaft.  Dealer said
PSS seal no longer standard so would have to ask for it.

4.	Electric bed in forward cabin - end towards bow tilts up at touch of
button to allow you to sit up and comfortably read in bed.  Enough shelf on
either side of sitting up in bed position for glass of water, novel and cup
of tea (preferably made by obliging husband).  LED lights looked good. 

5.	Foot end of mattress in forward cabin folds back on itself to allow
you to access storage underneath without having to balance mattress on top
of your head.

6.	Dining table very attractive with corners that fold in so you can
have larger or smaller table easily without having to replace one with the
other.

7.	Drawers pull out for easy storage access under seats & good storage
on each side above seats in main saloon where the C32 has none.  Opening
side window in forward cabin but other than hatch over your head, there are
no side opening windows in main saloon other than in galley area.  This
might be bad - less ventilation OR might be good - less risk of water coming
in on those calm hot days when you leave windows open only to have a power
boat roar past and swamp you.  Probably enough ventilation anyway when
anchored with hatch in forward cabin open and overhead hatch in main cabin
open.

8.	Dedicated space for laptop under chart table lid.

9.	Instruments are behind dark glass panel.  Looks neat and good for
keeping little fingers away.  Battery switches are underneath chart table.

10.	Galley area nice.  Fridge top and front opening. 

11.	Both forward and aft cabins nice and big enough for couples so won't
feel you have to give up the better cabin to guests.

12.	Mirror in bathroom tilts so can get at appropriate angle for tall or
short people.  Attractive modern glass basin.  Normal size toilet looked
smart and is (I think) standard with the push button flush.  No more having
to explain to guests how to operate the pump.

13.	There was a dedicated grey water area in the bilge.  This will be
probably be useful in Australia for boats used for charter as NSW Maritime
requires a grey water tank for new boats.

14.	Blinds are hidden in recess below windows so lift up rather than
pulling down.  I liked this as on Topcat, people are impressed by the blinds
and then want to play with them with sticky fingers.  On the 355, children
wouldn't know there are any blinds.

15.	Holding tank is now in cockpit locker so no risk of smells in main
saloon.  Dealer said because mounted quite high, easy to empty by gravity if
out to sea.

16.	Metal toe rail will be good for attaching things like pulleys for
outboard sheets to.  Toe rail had gaps (sorry can't think what proper name
is) for mooring lines to go through to attach to cleats so lines won't wear
fibreglass.  There were midship cleats on display boat and are (I think)
standard.

17.	Optional prodder for furling code zero looked fun.

18.	Display boat's cockpit table was in white and looked good.

19.	Moulded space for 2 gas bottles - good for when the gas runs out
just when you are about to cook dinner!

20.	Power boat style swim ladder.  Pushpit still feels safe and sturdy
with life lines that retract into pushpit when not neded - very neat and
clever.  A small section of the lifelines also opens on both sides.

21.	Clear vision for short people from helm both standing and sitting
although as in 320, not enough room (in my opinion) to stand behind helm
with seat in position.  The board which slots in if required to prevent
small dogs falling out the back of the boat has a dedicated storage spot
clipped to the underside of the escape hatch to the aft cabin.  Took a while
to work out what this was.

22.	Helm area slightly higher than rest of cockpit which sounds odd but
was very subtle and was nice.  Gave a feeling of giving the skipper their
own private area with winches in easy reach on each side and would keep non
sailing guests from being in the way.  Chartplotter mounts infront of helm
on low pedestal  and the deck is molded to allow for 2 instruments low on
either side.  It's comfortable to sit and reach the wheel and have good
visitibility of the instruments and boat traffic sitting either right at the
back or on the side at the back.   On Topcat, if I sat right at the back I
wouldn't be able to see properly to steer.

23.	Washboards - no washboards but a folding door with timber edge to
dark glass that opens out and clips on the starboard side.  Looks good and
would make it easy to shut the boat quickly if it starts to rain.

I really liked the boat (great headroom below deck for tall people) and felt
that it was big enough to provide the extra space and comfort I'd like
whilst still small enough I would be able to manage it on my own -
especially with the inmast furling mainsail.  It's nothing like the 350 but
more like the old 34 combined with the old 36 but updated and made better
than either which is exactly what I'd like.  The mini schnauzer wouldn't be
able to jump from couch to couch down below when we tack - too big a
distance.  Would have to think about a bed under the table for her with a
lee cloth - or she might enjoy the electric bed! (she can operate the
electric windows on our car with her paws)

Sorry this has been a bit long.

Annie Bennett
Topcat 1073