[C320-list] Looking to purchase a 320: model years to avoid?

[Jack Brennan]

I read somewhere – maybe on the list, maybe somewhere else – that our rudders have a breakaway bottom section to deal with rough groundings. I can’t vouch for it right now, though.

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




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From: Doug Treff via C320-list<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2023 12:27 PM
To: Jeff Hare<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Cc: Doug Treff<mailto:doug at treff.us>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Looking to purchase a 320: model years to avoid?

Wanted to add some additional detail re: Jack Brennan's comments below - On my 1996 model (#350), the rudder seems to be as deep or an inch deeper than the wing keel. So in my opinion, powering through any grounding would be dangerous anyway because you could damage the rudder shaft.

Additionally, you should be very careful when reversing in shallow waters because the rudder would be unprotected from the keel if you should touch bottom.

I really feel like they should have modified the length of the rudder on the wing keel models to be a tad shorter than the keel.

--
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us

On Thu, Jun 1, 2023, at 11:05 AM, Jack Brennan via C320-list wrote:

> Lastly, as with all wing keels, you will become paranoid about running
> aground. There’s no powering off a shoal with the diesel. It will just
> dig in. If you can’t get a tow, the best tactic is to put up all sail
> and put all crew on the lee side to heel the boat over.