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

[Paul Ducham]

   I couldn't agree more. Chuck Paine said something like, "A boat that
   looks a bargain on Craigslist will most likely just make you hate
   sailing."

   My frugality comment was strictly about asking prices of 320s vs 355s.
   Asking prices for 320s from 1999-2008 range from $60-90k. While the
   asking prices of used 355s have been $150-190k.

   -------- Original Message --------
   Subject: Re: [C320-list] 320 vs. something just a little bigger
   From: Jack Brennan <[1]jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
   Date: Fri, December 18, 2020 11:12 am
   To: "[2]C320-List at Catalina320.com" <[3]C320-List at Catalina320.com>
   Hi Paul:
   Frugality is good, but remember that itâs always better (and cheaper in
   the long run) to spend more money on an updated boat in excellent
   shape.
   Neglected boats are a money pit. Even boats that look good, but have
   old sails and electronics, can cost you a great deal of money to get
   right. These days, even a bottom job can run close to 3K in many
   locales. Whether the boat needs one should figure into the price.
   Jack Brennan
   Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
   Tierra Verde, Fl.
   Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
   Sent from Mail for Windows 10
   From: Paul Ducham
   Sent: Friday, December 18, 2020 7:23 AM
   To: [4]C320-List at Catalina320.com; [5]c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
   Subject: Re: [C320-list] 320 vs. something just a little bigger
   Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and perspective. Each and
   everyone of you made points that were invaluable to my decision.
   Your comments helped me reduce my short-list to only Catalinas, and
   most likely a 320 Mark II. The 355 isn't out of the running. I really
   think the 355 is a great design. But at about double the price, my
   frugality struggles with the ratio of incremental benefits of the 355
   compared with the 320 relative to incremental cost.
   Cheers!
   Paul
   -------- Original Message --------
   Subject: Re: [C320-list] 320 vs. something just a little bigger
   From: <[1][6]amiraults at sympatico.ca>
   Date: Thu, December 17, 2020 4:50 pm
   To: <[2][7]c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
   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
   References
   1. [8]mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca
   2. [9]mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com

References

   1. mailto:jackbrennan at bellsouth.net
   2. mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com
   3. mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com
   4. mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com
   5. mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
   6. mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca
   7. mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
   8. mailto:amiraults at sympatico.ca
   9. mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com