[C320-list] Replacement sails and other upgrades

[Irving Grunes]

Alan
If going new, I suggest 3 line Dutchman and loose footed main.
Irv Grunes
#851

On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 5:35 PM, Alan Goodman <goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
>
> I have the original sails (hull 67 1994) and while I considered moving to
> a bigger boat (C400), I decided to keep the C320.  So now I am going to
> have to make the expense (is anything spent on a boat ever an investment?)
> for several upgrades.  I would appreciate your feedback as to how to go and
> what you may have paid for a similar upgrade.
>
> I almost pulled the trigger earlier this month while Catalina Direct had a
> 15% off discount on sails, but with only a day left before the sale expired
> I felt rushed and did not order them.  CD sells Ullman sails from a Ventura
> CA loft.  I am a Great Lakes cruiser (similar to coastal ocean conditions),
> so I am interested in Dacron, about 7.0 oz.  I currently have full battens
> and a bolt rope foot.  I also have the Dutchman flaking system, and CD
> wanted $500 extra to install the plastic disks/grommets in the sail.  That
> seemed a bit excessive to me.  Most likely I will be moving to a bigger
> boat in about 4 years (full retirement afloat), if that affects your
> recommendations.  Do any of the racers on the forum have gently used Dacron
> sails they might wish to part with?  Does anyone single hand a slab flaked
> main without a Dutchman or Lazy jacks?   The head sail seems to me to be an
> easier choice (less decisions).  Same fabric weight as the main, foam luff,
> leach and foot cords, etc.  I am looking for thoughts based upon value ...
> i.e. price to performance.
>
> I also am going to have new interior cushions made for the salon.  Any
> recommendations as to foam density, foam thickness, other issues I may not
> be thinking about?  My OEM settee and dinette cushions extend beyond the
> leading edge (i.e. overhang) of the fiberglass bench structure but do not
> provide any support.  The edge of these cushions simply roll down behind my
> calves and are uncomfortable.  Anyone have new cushions made that are flush
> with the leading edge of the fiberglass bench structure?  Any thoughts
> about why it might be a good or bad idea?  Also, anyone have any price
> information as to what I should expect to pay (I'll be taking the existing
> cushions around for quotes right after the new year).
>
> Lastly, I bought a tufted topper for the aft berth cushions but still
> don't find the sleeping conditions comfortable.  So I will definitely be
> purchasing a mattress.  Options are foam or coil spring (I also tried a
> Coleman air mattress, but it felt way too cold in the early spring and late
> fall).  Again, any advice thoughts appreciated.
>
> That probably exhausts my boat budget for the upcoming year  ...  air
> conditioning and a below deck autopilot are in my dreams.
>