I just hauled my Catalina 385 (hull 44) and the crane load cell indicated approximately 19,500 pounds. The spec for this wing keel boat is 16,500 pounds. The boat is completely empty except for a full tank of diesel (approx 300 pounds). Immediately after hauling out my boat, the same crane and load cell got my friends 15,000 pound boat correct within a couple hundred pounds. Is there a chance Catalina has mis-stated the boat’s displacement. I observe that the Catalina 380 is listed with a weight of around 19,000 pounds. The main reason I care is that it could impact where I store my boat during winter. Oh, and my PHRF rating!
Catalina 385 weight?
- Thread starter Alora44
- Start date
Well on PHRF, I don't think displacement has anything to do with it. But I guess if your particular boat is more heavy than others of the same build you might be racing with a unfavorable number. My understanding is that a PHRF handicapping committee wouldn't adjust your rating based on displacement. If you can show a history of losing to the same boats you might get some time. It could also be said that your heavier displacement is an advantage if you can carry more sail in higher wind. Whatever is argued, it's a Performance based rating system.
I don't really think a builder would deliberately understate the displacement - for a lot of reasons. But it's hard to say how the scale would read that different from the published displacement.
About the only thing I could think of is a replacement keel. If a PO replaced or modified the keel you might see that much difference. It's not in the tankage, or batteries or water absorption.
I don't really think a builder would deliberately understate the displacement - for a lot of reasons. But it's hard to say how the scale would read that different from the published displacement.
About the only thing I could think of is a replacement keel. If a PO replaced or modified the keel you might see that much difference. It's not in the tankage, or batteries or water absorption.
Your 15.5K is/ was design weight. the 19.5k is actual assume travel lift or whatever was weight calibrated. As an FYI my C34 MK1 had a design weight of approximately 12.5K but multiple travel lifts showed 16.5-17.7K. Try checking out catalina380.org
The design weight is an optimistic guess as to what the boat will weigh when completed and dry. One cause of weight deviation is the fiberglass layup. Handlaid boats are notorious for being over weight because it is difficult to control the amount of resin that is used. That's why high end performance boats use vacuum infusion and vacuum bagging.
The design weight also omits the weight of accessories and owner additions. It also does not account for boats absorbing water as they age. Any wood in the boat is bone dry when installed, after living on the water in a high humid environment the wood absorbs some moisture, not enough to cause rot, but heavier than it was when the boat was built.
As for your PHRF handicap, it is not based on weight only on past performance in races and sail dimensions. It is also not based on your performance, it is based on the class performance. Thus, if you are an average sailor in a class with a lot of hot shots, the rating will be much lower than if it were solely based on your performance. That is one of the biggest faults of PHRF system.
The design weight also omits the weight of accessories and owner additions. It also does not account for boats absorbing water as they age. Any wood in the boat is bone dry when installed, after living on the water in a high humid environment the wood absorbs some moisture, not enough to cause rot, but heavier than it was when the boat was built.
As for your PHRF handicap, it is not based on weight only on past performance in races and sail dimensions. It is also not based on your performance, it is based on the class performance. Thus, if you are an average sailor in a class with a lot of hot shots, the rating will be much lower than if it were solely based on your performance. That is one of the biggest faults of PHRF system.
Thanks, everyone, for these responses. I have accounted for around 1000 pounds worth of items that would not be considered part of the lightship weight (General rule of thumb is if it’s it permanently affixed when leaving the yard, then it’s additional weight.) The fiberglass layup and water absorption are plausible explanations as well. Actually my biggest problem is potentially exceeding the crane safe working load at the yard.
My O’Day 322 has a displacement of 10,500 pounds. While in the slings at haulout, she weighed in around 13,000!
Sails were removed, water tanks empty but fuel tank was full, but that only adds 133 pounds.
Lots of other “small items” that add up!
Greg
Sails were removed, water tanks empty but fuel tank was full, but that only adds 133 pounds.
Lots of other “small items” that add up!
Greg
Displacement of my Catalina 350 is listed as12937 lbs. Around 20k in the slings. I'm not the only one that noticed this in the 350 group, so it's not just my boat that is fat.
The weight of the water displaced by a boat is always the same, the volume of water displaced will change based on the density of the water. This is Archimedes principle. The boat's water line will vary based on the water's density. Boat's in salt water will float higher than boat's in freshwater, but the weight of the water will be the same.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,048
Your boat can have a designed displacement weight. This value should be the weight of the boat in the raw untouched by owners hands or stuff. When you go aboard and begin provisioning, the added stuff fills the hull. The boat sets a little lower in the water, and appears too need a diet plan when lifted out of the water by crane.
We refer to boats as she... and generally never discuss her weight as "FAT" or "BIG BOTTOMED."
Here is a primer on displacement for boats.
www.merchantnavydecoded.com
We refer to boats as she... and generally never discuss her weight as "FAT" or "BIG BOTTOMED."
Here is a primer on displacement for boats.
Displacement of a Ship
Explore the ship displacement of the ship: Discover the important terms related to the displacement of the ship.
www.merchantnavydecoded.com
It can vary, like many say the weight it the projected build weight and this can vary. I can also tell you that I have scaled many C34's and they are notoriously overweight, about 80% of them, I have not scaled a 385. Like some one said if it had had accessories after the build these are not accounted for. solar panels, A/C, refrigeration........
I have a Catalina 30. I have had two of them actually, a 1977 and a 2001. The design weight is 10,200. Weight in the slings for both boats was about 14,000.
Tools, water, fuel pots and pans, a little food, spare lines and spare parts, spinnaker and gear, canvas, more tools, electronics, etc. etc.
Tools, water, fuel pots and pans, a little food, spare lines and spare parts, spinnaker and gear, canvas, more tools, electronics, etc. etc.