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

[wflowe3 at aim.com]

 We have hull #11 on our dock. It is a beautiful boat with great interior room. I've only sailed on it once but in 25-30 kts steady wind, it handled great. My only complaint is that I think they widened the cabin top at the expense of deck width. It seems to me that I have more deck room going forward on my boat. I'll measure next time out.  The 355 has the same mast as the 375 but positioned farther forward so the fore triangle is smaller (fractional) than on the 375. I'm really impressed by the boat.

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Annie Bennett <annie at sydneyprivatesailing.com.au>
To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 13, 2011 7:27 am
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