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

[Annie Bennett]

Hi Jon, no I don't know the hull number. Glad to hear yours IS self contained. It's possible I misunderstood what I saw - although the shipwright agreed with me - but we were looking in a hurry as there were people wanting to come down below who couldn't until we put the ladder back. Annie

On 13/06/2011, at 11:12 PM, "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:

> Thanks Annie,
> 
> I will certainly provide the good and the bad once I have a chance to
> actually sail her. I was interested in your comment regarding the engine
> pan, as mine certainly has one that is self contained--do you happen to know
> what hull # you inspected?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jon Vez
> 
> -----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 8:58 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] 2 things I didn't like about Catalina 355
> 
> Congratulation on your new boat and hope all goes well when you are able to
> start sailing her Jon.  I, and I'm sure others on the list, would love to
> hear how it goes.  Annie
> 
> On 13/06/2011, at 10:51 PM, Jon Vez wrote:
> 
>> 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
>> 
>> 
>