[C320-list] How far offshore?

[Jack Brennan]

Tough question.

The fact is, people have sailed all kinds of boats all over the world. A Miami guy named Patrick Childress sailed a modified Catalina 27 around the world in the 1970s. People have sailed old Bristols (I owned a 30) from 24 to 32 feet across the Atlantic and Pacific.

The boat itself is well-built, much better than many of the ‘70s cruisers that are out on the ocean. Condition is key, of course. No old rigging. Minor leaks will become major in big seas. Probably need a survey to detect any hidden problems so they don’t haunt you on your trip.

But I think the biggest issue with the 320 is its flattish bottom and, in many cases, wing keel. You’re just not going to weather very well in rough conditions. That means you would have to figure out the best rough-weather tactics for your boat for if/when you get caught out.

If you go to a web site called atomvoyages.com, there is an article about the author delivering a 320 to the Caribbean in difficult conditions. That’s a trip longer, and perhaps even rougher, than your planned trip to the Med. 

He crossed a stirred-up Gulfstream. And the Caribbean has its notorious “Christmas winds,” in which it blows 25 knots every day in often-rough conditions. 

My worst rough-weather experience with the 320 was going from Key West to Key Largo in 25 knots of wind on the nose, with a strong current opposing. We had to motor because we had land on one side and a big reef on the other. Wide open, we were making about two knots, with the flat bottom slamming into every set of short, steep waves.

If I had been in my old Bristol 30, with its wine glass-shaped hull and long keel, I would have sliced right through that chop. 

On the other hand, I have found the 320 to handle itself well in 20-some knots and choppy conditions when I wasn’t going nose to wind. 

I think distance offshore is a red herring. Many of the worst and most dangerous conditions are relatively close to shore. You could heave to or forereach offshore and be perfectly fine as long as you weren’t in a shipping lane.

If I were you, I would spend some time reading books on storm tactics and by small-boat sailors who have done the Med. An old friend of mine named John Kretschmer from Fort Lauderdale has written several good ones, but there are tons more around.

Good luck. I think you could do it!

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.










Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Graeme Clark
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2020 12:49 PM
To: Catalina list
Subject: [C320-list] How far offshore?


Curious to know if anyone has sailed any significant distances offshore in a C320. 

I recall reading somewhere that it’s “not an offshore boat” but I have no idea why, nor at what point you are considered to be offshore. I think it’s a bit more than just out of sight of land?

Similarly I don’t really uNderstand the phrase “blue water sailing” beyond the fact that if you’re doing it, you’ve got a good chance of waves breaking over the coachroof and pouring down the companionway if you’re foolish enough to leave it open!

Here in Britain the furthest I’ve gone is 110nm across the English Channel to France but I’d like to sail down to the Mediterranean one day (no, not IN one day!) which Means crossing the Bay of Biscay. 300nm
In some notoriously poor conditions if you’re unlucky Or the forecasters get it wrong! 

Is that a foolish prospect in a C320?

Graeme
#366, 1996
Sent from my phone. Excuse typos!