Another WM Thread

[philwsailz]

Just kidding.... Made ya look though! Hopefully it is taken Tongue-in-Cheek as I meant it. It is a sore subject lately....

Here are a few pics I took of the Catalina 315 while on the Strictly Sail docks on the 14th....

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

What did you think of her?

So how did you like the 315?

I thought she had some good improvements but overall I would rather have my 310. The two things I really likes were the cockpit table and the swim ladder. I emailed Catalina after seeing the table last year and it would be $1,500 for one (ouch!).

I hear the sailing performance is better. As far as the layout, it is very similar to the 309 and I just don't like cramped vee births.

JK

 

[Stu Jackson]

Going "backwards" to a single sink seems counter-intuitive.

 

[Nodak7]

Just kidding.... Made ya look though! Hopefully it is taken Tongue-in-Cheek as I meant it. It is a sore subject lately....

Here are a few pics I took of the Catalina 315 while on the Strictly Sail docks on the 14th....

So Phil when do they deliver it to OK???

 

[philwsailz]

I like that everything seems so new, and I did apperciate the layout, but to my sense of space, somewhat removed by an airline trip, my C27 interior seems a little roomier, and the cockpit of my C27 for sure is. The sugar-scoop transom and the ability to walk on is awesome, but you get that at the sake of seating for another couple in the cockpit.

 

[philwsailz]

So Phil when do they deliver it to OK???

Hah hah hah. I need to spash a 27, get it in the water so I can sell it, then take my trailer and go get and flip a few Catalina 30 sailboats. That might get me to the point I can afford a new one, or keep organically adding two feet until I realize I have added too many.... For what a guy can buy used, it is nice to look at new, but I don't see new in my future for a few years.

Buying new would be a luxury of not having to do anything to use a boat, until you realize new is never exactly what you want either.... I have honed my craft to a point where I feel I will probably always be happier in the long run with a boat that I bought in good condition, and refurbed the right way, with improvements that suit my use of a boat.

 

[jimmcgee]

There are some things I really like about the 315 and some things I really don't.

We live aboard weekends from the spring through the fall. I can't imagine preparing real meals in that tiny galley. Definitely less storage than our boat - and we're adding more cabinets!

All in all I like the boat but I'd take our Catalina 30 MKIII over the 315. Now if they could incorporate some of the 315's improvements into a Cat 30 MKIII I think they'd really have something!

 

[Bob S]

If we're dreaming here I really liked the 355. I loved the bathroom, the C30 MKIII's is quite small. But dreaming is all I can do.
I do love my boat and it has a piece of my soul for all the blood sweat and tears I've shed for her.

 

[Bad Obsession]

The 355 is a very nice boat!

I don't dream of a new 30 foot boat. I would want to add a few feet in there. The new 385 is nice too!

 

[rpwillia]

445 is da bomb!

Actually I like em all. Thought the berth on the 445 aft port where you could drop stuff down from the cockpit was nice.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Now if they could incorporate some of the 315's improvements into a Cat 30 MKIII I think they'd really have something!

That's what they thought they were doing! :dance:

 

[Scott B]

Just kidding.... Made ya look though! Hopefully it is taken Tongue-in-Cheek as I meant it. It is a sore subject lately....

Here are a few pics I took of the Catalina 315 while on the Strictly Sail docks on the 14th....

First of all you suck me in with another WM thread.... then there's pictures of some ugly dude on the back of a sailboat in shorts.... then there's pic's of boats in water that is not frozen...... Hey Phil, where's the BAN button....

 

[philwsailz]

First of all you suck me in with another WM thread.... then there's pictures of some ugly dude on the back of a sailboat in shorts.... then there's pic's of boats in water that is not frozen...... Hey Phil, where's the BAN button....

Well heck Scott, you clicked on it! . Okay I know I need to lose about 50 pounds, see how the boot stripe gets skinny at the back??? I don't think I'm ugly though!?!?!?

To my credit, I got there before the rain hit, otherwise the wet shirt would have been too graphic. I felt lucky to do the show dry.

Hey at least you don't have Mosquitos........ Not right now anyway...

 

[philwsailz]

Stu, I think the smaller galley speaks to the typical new buyer today. Nobody I know thinks they really want to go blue or green water sailing in a new 315 or many other new production boats of that size class. I think Gerry knows it too and provides a minimal galley more suited to serving Asian Market sushi and cocktails on relatively short weekending trips.

My opinion is we are in a weird transition period where hardcore sailors aren't buying new so the production builders are building boats catered to the "new casual" sailor. It will be interesting to see what happens in the market as these move down into the used market as they age. I have a hunch we will see a flattening or lifting of value for older boats whose layout, design, and function were geared more towards real live-aboard or near-live-aboard use.

I believe this trend is reflected in my remodel on my C27. The galley has been turned into a wet bar, the sink has shrunk, and any cooking will be done on stern rail grill or butane single burner cooktop. I think I closely mirror the typical new Catalina buyer, except for the income part. . At the 315 level at least, the boat is built for Friday and Saturday evening... Many might not agree with what I've done but thats how I/we use our boats.

Curious to see how others might counter my logic. Interesting topic for debate?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Stu, I think the smaller galley speaks to the typical new buyer today. Nobody I know thinks they really want to go blue or green water sailing in a new 315 or many other new production boats of that size class. I think Gerry knows it too and provides a minimal galley more suited to serving Asian Market sushi and cocktails on relatively short weekending trips.

My opinion is we are in a weird transition period where hardcore sailors aren't buying new so the production builders are building boats catered to the "new casual" sailor. It will be interesting to see what happens in the market as these move down into the used market as they age. I have a hunch we will see a flattening or lifting of value for older boats whose layout, design, and function were geared more towards real live-aboard or near-live-aboard use.

I believe this trend is reflected in my remodel on my C27. The galley has been turned into a wet bar, the sink has shrunk, and any cooking will be done on stern rail grill or butane single burner cooktop. I think I closely mirror the typical new Catalina buyer, except for the income part. . At the 315 level at least, the boat is built for Friday and Saturday evening... Many might not agree with what I've done but thats how I/we use our boats.

Curious to see how others might counter my logic. Interesting topic for debate?

Unfortunately I think you are right. People who cruise or want to cruise think a 40-50 boat is necessary for a couple. As a result, small 30 footers are now weekenders and mid 20s boats are day sailors. Bigger is better don't you know.

We are preparing to cruise the Caribbean in a 31 footer. Most boaters we meet think we are crazy and that we should either get a catamaran or 40+ footer for this trip. No thanks, that will just take more maintenance or money then I want to spend. I'd rather sail longer and play/relax more on my 30 footer.

 

[Phil Herring]

I think that assessment is right on the money. For the volume builders, that's where the volume is.

 

[philwsailz]

I think that assessment is right on the money. For the volume builders, that's where the volume is.

Funny thing is, for all boat builders, and especially sailboat builders, volume is a relative term and big volumes are fleeting for all builders. In the mid 90's, the plastic powerboat builders could not jump on the jet-boat craze quick enough. Then closed-bow go-fast had a brief heyday jest before the crash of 2009. Today, aluminum and pontoon in particular is huge. Funny thing is the latest fuel cost sensitivity has not run folks to sailing like in the 70's.

I wonder if sail is yet to see a resurgence like in the 70's with big consumer numbers? Let's just hope the "Winnebago-on-the-water" that was most of the Bayliner Buccaneer line doesn't come back into vogue. Those tender pregnant guppies make some current designs we ridicule seem quite smart in comparison.

For those who aren't familiar go do a Bing search for Bayliner Buccaneer. You will find a couple of US YACHTS designs in the line that actually resemble sailboats, but when you catch a glimpse of a few of the non-US YACHTS models as here:

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailimg/m/30867/main.jpg

you will find a sailboat designed by someone who knows nothing about sailing

 

[Ken13559]

Philwsailz, What is that white box item hanging beneath the stern rail seats?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Philwsailz, What is that white box item hanging beneath the stern rail seats?

Speakers. Most of the newer Catalinas come with speaker boxes or are prewired for. Speakers. We love ours. Good sound right there while you are in the cockpit.

 

[Nodak7]

Funny thing is, for all boat builders, and especially sailboat builders, volume is a relative term and big volumes are fleeting for all builders. In the mid 90's, the plastic powerboat builders could not jump on the jet-boat craze quick enough. Then closed-bow go-fast had a brief heyday jest before the crash of 2009. Today, aluminum and pontoon in particular is huge. Funny thing is the latest fuel cost sensitivity has not run folks to sailing like in the 70's.

I wonder if sail is yet to see a resurgence like in the 70's with big consumer numbers? Let's just hope the "Winnebago-on-the-water" that was most of the Bayliner Buccaneer line doesn't come back into vogue. Those tender pregnant guppies make some current designs we ridicule seem quite smart in comparison.

For those who aren't familiar go do a Bing search for Bayliner Buccaneer. You will find a couple of US YACHTS designs in the line that actually resemble sailboats, but when you catch a glimpse of a few of the non-US YACHTS models as here:

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailimg/m/30867/main.jpg

you will find a sailboat designed by someone who knows nothing about sailing

Phil, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. How many current sailors started out with one of these boats. If it attracts them to the sport then I am not about to be critical. I started with a MacGregor and many people consider that not much of a sailboat. But it led me to love sailing and to the boat I have today (which some people still do not think is much of a sailboat). However, it is still my passion and we all have to start some place. True?