Hello, I am looking for a first boat for a small family that will likely often be sailed single handed. I have found both a 2000 30' mkIII and a 2000 310. I have yet to walk the mkIII as it isn't local, but it has some added options that I like. Can someone please share thoughts on one vs the other. Most sailing will be in the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for any insight that you might be able to provide.
2000 30' MKIII or 310, help!
- Thread starter Lostgriz
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Thanks for the info. Not sure if I will race, mostly relax and explore the bay, expecting often multi day trips.
I race hang gliders in 7 day competitions 3-4 times a year, so I get my fill of racing.
Thanks!
Matt
I race hang gliders in 7 day competitions 3-4 times a year, so I get my fill of racing.
Thanks!
Matt
I walked a 310 the other day and really liked it. It didn't have a few options that I kinda want, but I really like the boat. It had some water damage here and there that I didn't like, like water stains from leaking ports, the floor hatch to the bilge was badly warped, a little water damage to the partition at the v berth and the drawer slides under the v berth were completely rusted away. None of this really scared me away from the boat, if it could ultimately pass a comprehensive inspection and be had for the right price. I owned a custom furniture and cabinet business and have built a few homes doing most of the work myself, so I am not afraid of a little project..... having said that, I have done too many projects to date and don't want to start my sailing career with a big boat project.
I have seen a couple decent prices on MKIIIs of the same year, so I am curious if anyone can compare the two boats. Also, how common is it to have this leak damage in a boat that is almost 17 years old?
Thanks,
Matt
I have seen a couple decent prices on MKIIIs of the same year, so I am curious if anyone can compare the two boats. Also, how common is it to have this leak damage in a boat that is almost 17 years old?
Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
My wife and I live on our 310 for almost 3 years now and sailed her from Boston to the Virgin Islands. I am typing this while anchored in Trellis Bay, Tortola BVI. Obviously I will be partial to the 310. But we have really good friends that have a 30 MKII and have sailed and worked on that boat extensively.
So here are my thoughts. If it will be just you will be solo a lot the 310 is better for sailing. The jib wenches are positioned at the helm and it's easier to get around the cockpit. The cockpit us also nicer for relaxing in. The 310 has a round cockpit that is roomier compared to the T cockpit of the 30 that you won't be able to laydown in. But if you will have kids on board it will be easier to brace themselves under heel in the 30 cockpit. There are some fixes for this and I can go over them if you want.
When it comes to below deck will you be spending your time sleeping or hanging out? More than 4 for dinner on the 310 below deck is almost impossible while we have had 10 people below eating pizza in the rain on our friends 30. But the main berth in the 310 wins hands down.
As to your maintenance questions. The wet wood on the forward bulkhead is very common. Typically it's just water staining and not structural. Have it checked with a moisture meter. It's a sign that the chain plates need to be rebedded, which is super easy on the 310 and took me one afternoon.
The warped hatchboard is another easy fix and I think Paul on the 310 forum did a good post on that a year or two ago. It involves some screws and west system and clamping. Essentially Catalina didn't put enough of either on at the factory. Given you skill set it should be a quick fix.
The main things I would look for are the dampener plate, the exhaust elbow and engine mounts/alignment. The dampener plate is inside the bell housing and essentially where the transmission connects to the engine. Catalina used a poor quality part here and it fails early. If that hasn't been done it will likely need it in the near future. It is possible to do it yourself and there are several examples on the forum. I have a write up on my blog too.
At the age of the boat the exhaust elbow is likely near the end of its life if it hasn't already failed. I have been running exhaust elbows made out of $50 worth of threaded pipe from Home Depot for 5 years and over 1,000 hours on the engine. The write up is on my blog and I believe I posted it on the forum too.
The engine alignment and motor mounts has also been written about on the forum and my blog. The front mounts are essentially too low and need a spacer so that you don't have the front mounts all the way extended and at a week before point. So you could have some mounts to replace.
With Catalinas I think you get two of the biggest benefits in the boating industry. Catalina Direct and the owners association. With Catalina Direct you can almost always get a direct replacement part. And the owners groups are such huge support for DYI boat projects it makes it easy to get ahead of the learning curve.
Overall I can't say enough good things about the 310. In the last year we have done around 6,000 nm in the boat and still love it. We have been anchored with people on boats from 25 to 55 feet and unless there is a catamaran in the mix we often end up hanging out in the cockpit of Smitty. We have had 12 people over for drinks and played card games with 8 no problem. I did a review of the boat at 10 months of full-time cruising on my blog that you might want to read.
If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask them or PM me.
Good luck with you search.
Jesse
My wife and I live on our 310 for almost 3 years now and sailed her from Boston to the Virgin Islands. I am typing this while anchored in Trellis Bay, Tortola BVI. Obviously I will be partial to the 310. But we have really good friends that have a 30 MKII and have sailed and worked on that boat extensively.
So here are my thoughts. If it will be just you will be solo a lot the 310 is better for sailing. The jib wenches are positioned at the helm and it's easier to get around the cockpit. The cockpit us also nicer for relaxing in. The 310 has a round cockpit that is roomier compared to the T cockpit of the 30 that you won't be able to laydown in. But if you will have kids on board it will be easier to brace themselves under heel in the 30 cockpit. There are some fixes for this and I can go over them if you want.
When it comes to below deck will you be spending your time sleeping or hanging out? More than 4 for dinner on the 310 below deck is almost impossible while we have had 10 people below eating pizza in the rain on our friends 30. But the main berth in the 310 wins hands down.
As to your maintenance questions. The wet wood on the forward bulkhead is very common. Typically it's just water staining and not structural. Have it checked with a moisture meter. It's a sign that the chain plates need to be rebedded, which is super easy on the 310 and took me one afternoon.
The warped hatchboard is another easy fix and I think Paul on the 310 forum did a good post on that a year or two ago. It involves some screws and west system and clamping. Essentially Catalina didn't put enough of either on at the factory. Given you skill set it should be a quick fix.
The main things I would look for are the dampener plate, the exhaust elbow and engine mounts/alignment. The dampener plate is inside the bell housing and essentially where the transmission connects to the engine. Catalina used a poor quality part here and it fails early. If that hasn't been done it will likely need it in the near future. It is possible to do it yourself and there are several examples on the forum. I have a write up on my blog too.
At the age of the boat the exhaust elbow is likely near the end of its life if it hasn't already failed. I have been running exhaust elbows made out of $50 worth of threaded pipe from Home Depot for 5 years and over 1,000 hours on the engine. The write up is on my blog and I believe I posted it on the forum too.
The engine alignment and motor mounts has also been written about on the forum and my blog. The front mounts are essentially too low and need a spacer so that you don't have the front mounts all the way extended and at a week before point. So you could have some mounts to replace.
With Catalinas I think you get two of the biggest benefits in the boating industry. Catalina Direct and the owners association. With Catalina Direct you can almost always get a direct replacement part. And the owners groups are such huge support for DYI boat projects it makes it easy to get ahead of the learning curve.
Overall I can't say enough good things about the 310. In the last year we have done around 6,000 nm in the boat and still love it. We have been anchored with people on boats from 25 to 55 feet and unless there is a catamaran in the mix we often end up hanging out in the cockpit of Smitty. We have had 12 people over for drinks and played card games with 8 no problem. I did a review of the boat at 10 months of full-time cruising on my blog that you might want to read.
If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask them or PM me.
Good luck with you search.
Jesse
Oh, one more note on buying a 17 year old boat. You are either going to get a boat in great shape or one with a lot of deferred maintenance. Most factory done stuff are going to start to fail in the 10-20 year mark. So either the current owner of the boat has paid attention to this and the boat will be in good shape or they have ignored most of the issues and just plan to sell and get another newer boat.
So a good survey is key to telling the difference. Research your surveyor, try to find one with boat building experience and be there for the survey.
So a good survey is key to telling the difference. Research your surveyor, try to find one with boat building experience and be there for the survey.
Jesse's right. The short version: they are two completely different boats, designed for two different markets. The venerable 30 is the roomiest 30 footer ever made, over 6,000. The 310 was specifically designed for couples cruising. Two very different "design criteria."
Water damage means the PO was stupid, lazy or both. Nothin' ya can't fix.
Water damage means the PO was stupid, lazy or both. Nothin' ya can't fix.
I am also very biased, but we have owned our 310 for 4 years and we are 2nd owner. Our boat is super easy to single hand. It is easy to work on, I just replaced the freshwater pump and macerator. I am not an high level skilled mechanic. When we get together on our pier everyone comes to our boat, BUT we also enjoy being comfortable not only sailing but at anchor. There is excellent value in the 310 . Just my wife and I sail the boat but we have also had 6 people aboard (Semi-Racing), sailing. I have sailed the 30 But love owning the 310.
Everyone has given very sage advice in this topic .
Everyone has given very sage advice in this topic .
I have not sailed on the 31 but I just bought a 2000 MKIII C30 a few weeks ago. Before it I owned a 1977 C30. I will say the older C30 was easier to single hand. I don't like the winch position on the newer 2000 C30. A good auto pilot is almost mandatory. That said I plan to move/add a few things to make this better. My MKIII needs a new cutless bearing badly. It was pointed out during the survey, I should have had it done before launching. Now I will just keep the rpm's down until next springs commissioning. I looked at the 31. It was a bit more than I had in the budget. Nice boat though if you can afford it.