[C320-list] Fwd: Removable panels in forward bulkhead?

[Karl Mielenhausen]

Rick,

You might want to review this feature history....
http://www.catalina320.com/kb/doku.php?id=hullhistory
There are other files on the website under reference material/buying info.

Many of the changes (aka "improvements") are like politics.... depends
on whom you talk to and what your needs are.

I've heard many prefer the Yanmar (it is all I've known, so I can't
say one way or another).
The deeper bilge is useful, but then draft increased as well.
BTW, if draft is important to you, look through the chart carefully
and verify draft with your surveyor, as the specs did not keep up with
the engineering changes and some brokerage listings have known to have
been incorrect.
If you plan on sleeping in the aft cabin, you may prefer a boat with
the "escape hatch".
I enjoy cruising with my 3-bladed fixed prop, but it also makes it
impossible for me to be competitive when racing in light winds.

Good luck,
Karl Mielenhausen



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rick Sonntag <c250 at ricksonntag.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 4, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Removable panels in forward bulkhead?
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com


I'm considering shopping for a C320 for my next boat in the next year or
two. One thing I've always wondered about is the removable panels in the
bulkhead behind the v-berth. I see that Catalina eliminated them in later
models, somewhere around 1998 or 1999.

Do you have any idea why Catalina removed them? Was there a problem with
them? Any other pros/cons of having them, such as better ventilation?

What other changes did Catalina make to this boat over the years that I
should consider? Are there specific issues that I should check into on
particular vintage boats?

Thanks,

Rick Sonntag
Swarthmore, PA