[C320-list] 320 vs. something just a little bigger

[amiraults at sympatico.ca]

Paul:

 

Re-read what Pat Reynolds has written, as there is much there to chew upon.
Twelve years ago, at age 53, I went looking for my final, retirement boat.
In 2007 I moved up from a 1981 28 foot Tanzer to a 2001 C320. The former
boat had been a bit of a project that allowed me to "learn by doing" in
regards necessary maintenance. Among the things learned was that I didn't
want another project boat to sail while I completed my final pre-retirement
employment laps. I wanted a well cared for boat old  enough that the bugs
were worked out, desirable owner add-ons were already actually added on, and
with a bit of depreciation making it more affordable. It also needed to be
young enough that aside from regular cleaning it would not need heavy
maintenance for 4-5 years. This would allow me to get to just sail the boat
while winding up my career - such as it was. All this has come to pass.

 

Everything Pat wrote about performance I have found to be true. His
observation that the hull grows bigger with every spring's wash and wax is
also true. An additional thought is the impact of personal surprise. I was
VERY surprised by the need for triple bypass surgery during the period of
launch prep in '19. Recovery was long, and Bear has been all the boat I can
handle. I do day sail. I do race her with the addition of four crew. At
least once a season (except '19) I take her out single-handed; obviously
possible to do, but every change of direction requires planning and
organization. For day sailing with friends it is a great boat, with plenty
of room on deck and below. The same for weekends on the hook with the
spouse. So long as you are willing to be creative with v-berth storage I
would expect that longer duration cruises on The Great Lakes for two would
find the C320 ideal.

 

A bigger boat is always more comfortable, and great if you can afford it.
Before you acquire one, look to your spouse if it is your retirement
intention to cruise. My spouse is willing, assuming that there is not more
than 15 degrees of heel. Further, she's 5' tall with a light upper body
structure, so she lacks upper body strength to the point that I replaced the
original 150% head sail with a 135% modified Yankee cut so she could do some
initial grinding on the tacks. Finally, she's willing to pull or release
lines, or take the wheel while I raise the main or deal with a minor issue;
but will not take the helm in/out of harbour, while minor mobility issues
prevent her from jumping onto the dock to secure the boat on entering our
slip. This means that when it is just the two of us in and out of harbour it
is kind of like single handing. Much of the sailing we do feels somewhat
like sailing alone. How do you see your significant other with this? Will
this work for you on a bigger boat? Shit also happens and the skipper
usually carries the greater responsibility for boat handling. He who handles
more is more likely to get hurt. In the event of an injury, at what point
would a boat be too big for your spouse to handle with you only providing
verbal assistance?

 

These aren't starry-eyed n-footitis questions, but they're still valid
considerations. I am not in a position to advise on the size of your
next/last boat as I don't know you that well. Bigger is more comfortable,
and offers more crew and guest possibilities. The C320 can sleep seven, but
I don't know five more people that I like THAT much. Of the boats I have
been on, my limited experience is to recommend you satisfy the purchase
within the Catalina family. They appear to be built up to a standard rather
than down to a price. When I have been unpleasantly surprised by conditions
to the point where I became fearful, Bear didn't bat a padeye. I have to
quit before Bear does. And a funny thing, at my club the Catalinas tend to
be sailed more.  

 

Brian Amirault

797 Waltzing Bear, too