[C320-list] Upwind performance

[Rick Thompson]

Hello everyone,
My wife and I are seriously considering purchasing a C320 for cruising and racing phrf on Lake of the Woods, Ontario. 
We just sold our first keelboat , a Mirage 25,  the past week.

We like the huge interior and  2 separate cabins and swim transom.

Because LOW is in the Canadian shield there are definite low water  hazards. Most are well charted.

I was wondering if you racer/ cruisers could give me feedback on the C320 performance with both wing and fin keel?
 I've also noticed that the Catalina's seem to be heavier than similar length boats, also. Heavier construction? More material due to carrying more beam?
Upwind performance is important because LOW has many islands so you  always seem to be beating the wind to get around them.
How would the performance of a C320 compare to say a C&C32? The C&C has a similar phrf at 150, narrower beam and lighter at about 9800lb.
Of course it's the older traditional design, without the open transom, 2 cabins etc.
Thanks,
Rick Thompson 

R Thompson