310 mast - deck or keel stepped?

[Calif. Ted]

There's a 350 across from me, it has much more freeboard than the 34 and 36 and the beam is carried all the way to the transom. Looked at from the rear quarter it very much resembles the Hunter next to it than the Cat 36, has that same kind of curve going on.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

1. Not quite. The C355 has pretty much the same layout as the venerable Catalina 34 (1986 to 2009 or so, exactly 1,800 hulls were built): aft head to port but with increased shower space, (improved) galley to starboard, same entry to the aft cabin, dinette table to starboard (much improved table), and straight settee to port (with improved separate seats with fold down table). It is by no means similar in layout to the C350. It would be more likely a Mark III of the C34!!! It truly, though, is a NEW boat. FYI, the C355 membership is being managed by us here at C34 "headquarters."

So this comment made me think. I was basing my opinion largely on the interior layout with the walk around forward berth being a primary feature. But I had never really done any type of side by side comparison on a couple of the models. So I put together the attachment. By no means is this a definitive comparison but I just wanted to make it easier to look at a couple different aspects side by side.

So here is what I now think:
1) they cut down the extreme beam of the C350 but still went beamier than the C34 and C36
2) they kept the higher sail area of the C350 but did reduce it and went fractional
3) they significantly upped the displacement which probably makes it feel stiffer than the C350 and closer to the C34 and C36
4) the interior really looks like they took the best parts of all 3 previous boats and brought them into one boat

Overall I think the C355 shows why I like Catalinas. They are constantly innovating without going to far out. They learn from their previous boats and incorporate the features that make sense. Definitely a nice looking boat and I would like to get out on one. Just too much money for us to even consider with so many other used boats on the market.

2. Yes. There may be others, like the Bs and Hs, but I am not familiar with them. (Again, under 40 feet).

Other than the Hunter Legend 37 I can't find any. I would be interested if people could suggest them. We like our C310 and don't have any interest in trading up. But it never hurts to be looking.

 

[Solstice]

So this comment made me think. I was basing my opinion largely on the interior layout with the walk around forward berth being a primary feature. But I had never really done any type of side by side comparison on a couple of the models. So I put together the attachment. By no means is this a definitive comparison but I just wanted to make it easier to look at a couple different aspects side by side. So here is what I now think: 1) they cut down the extreme beam of the C350 but still went beamier than the C34 and C36 2) they kept the higher sail area of the C350 but did reduce it and went fractional 3) they significantly upped the displacement which probably makes it feel stiffer than the C350 and closer to the C34 and C36 4) the interior really looks like they took the best parts of all 3 previous boats and brought them into one boat Overall I think the C355 shows why I like Catalinas. They are constantly innovating without going to far out. They learn from their previous boats and incorporate the features that make sense. Definitely a nice looking boat and I would like to get out on one. Just too much money for us to even consider with so many other used boats on the market. Other than the Hunter Legend 37 I can't find any. I would be interested if people could suggest them. We like our C310 and don't have any interest in trading up. But it never hurts to be looking.

Jesse,
I think this is a pretty good summary of the differences. The beam is only 3" more than the 320 and although not full fractional, they moved the sail area to the main. It has 17% more leach with vertical battens to manage that leach. As GD put it, he put the '5' series boats on a diet. When we upgraded from our 320, our criteria was to find the smallest boat that had a queen walk around, separate shower and of course sailed well. We stumbled upon the 355 just at the right time and it met all of our wants. Having the huge water capacity, large holding tank and decent fuel capacity for this size boat made all the more desirable for longer term cruising. The lower freeboard was also very desirable to us.
I know you are in Hingham so you have an open invitation for you and your bride to come for a sail anytime...

 

[Solstice]

Thanks, that's great information on the corrections made and I've heard nothing but great comments on various forums from all Catalina owners about the support from the company no matter how old or which model the boats are. I agree that some of the standard equipment (winches, etc) on the 310's seem above average quality and it makes sense that when the economy started going bust toward the end of that production run, that maybe they started to rethink that model instead of going to a MKII or III, which would theoretically be upgraded versions. Yet it was a very popular size (for folks like me anyway), so that makes me wonder if the 309 was meant to be the lower "production" cost follow up beginning in 2007. Has anyone ever referred to it as such? I've seen a few listed and the interior layout looks very similar (except for the TV cutout in forward bulkhead, nicer transom setup and probably a few other small things I'm not noticing). However, given the fact that an asking prices for early 310's are right up there (within $10-15K) with that of a 2007/8 309's is remarkable! Some are actually asking even higher, but probably either asking too much or have certain upgrades. But while I'm thinking of purchasing, when I see two very similar sized, layout and furnished boats separated in some cases by 6-8 years with similar asking prices, I have to scratch my head a bit! Did they really go to lesser (or a more standard) quality of equipment on the 309, or is the 310 just a better boat all around? Thanks! Chris

Just some clarification on the up sized gear on most Catalina's--they typically right size their gear for the largest boats and then use the same gear for the next 2-3 smaller models. They are able to take advantage of volume purchasing this way while offering the value of oversize winches, standing rigging, blocks and rigs. Just part of the value proposition...

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I know you are in Hingham so you have an open invitation for you and your bride to come for a sail anytime...

I might have to take you up on that offer. We will be in Boston for the winter starting on Nov. 1st at Constitution Marina. Where do you keep your boat?

 

[Stu Jackson]

So here is what I now think:
1) they cut down the extreme beam of the C350 but still went beamier than the C34 and C36
2) they kept the higher sail area of the C350 but did reduce it and went fractional
3) they significantly upped the displacement which probably makes it feel stiffer than the C350 and closer to the C34 and C36
4) the interior really looks like they took the best parts of all 3 previous boats and brought them into one boat
5) Overall I think the C355 shows why I like Catalinas. They are constantly innovating without going to far out. They learn from their previous boats and incorporate the features that make sense. Definitely a nice looking boat and I would like to get out on one. Just too much money for us to even consider with so many other used boats on the market.

1. I wasn't looking at the stats in my last post, only the interiors.

2. IIRC, Gerry Douglas calls the new boat masthead rigs with 15/16ths fractional! Kinda semantics, dontcha think?

3. I agree. From everything I've heard on the C355 Google group, they sail great.

4. Don't follow. The C350 had that horrible layout with the forward starboard settee right in front of the forward port head. I hated that layout. The dining area left a LOT to be desired with the strange table setup(s). The C36 has a forward head, and is completely different than the C34 and C355 which share pretty much, if not identical layouts. If you want to "complete" the analysis, add the C375, which shares much of the "bones" of the C36, and they share their Associations on their website and in Mainsheet magazine. Other than the forward berth issue which started this, the C350 doesn't "match" any comparisons of the other four boats. In my mind, it was a one-off. Which it so happened to start or morph into the newer "5" series.

5. Absolutely.

Good analysis, thanks.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

So here is how I see the Catalina design team grabbed interior components from each.

4. Don't follow. The C350 had that horrible layout with the forward starboard settee right in front of the forward port head. I hated that layout. The dining area left a LOT to be desired with the strange table setup(s).

The C350 was the first of these boats to introduce the centerline, walk-around queen which has been included in the C355. (Originally from the C310 as the first sub-40 Catalina to have this as the forward berth.) It was also the first boat in this size range that introduced the separate shower stall. This required some sacrifices in the layout that you obviously don't like but others found acceptable. I for one definitely would prefer a layout with a comfortable owner's berth and head over a large salon. We don't spend much time in our salon most of the time.

There was also less space given to the nav table in the C350. Another trend that has continued in new models.

The C350 also introduced the front and top loading refer and the general cockpit shape with the permanent cockpit table with wings and a foot brace. These features were retained for the C355 (and some of them also came from the C310).

The C36 has a forward head, and is completely different than the C34 and C355 which share pretty much, if not identical layouts.

Yes, I like the features of the head location, entrance to the rear berth, galley shape, and U-shaped dinette. Definitely took these from the C34.

But the C36 was the first in this size range to have the settee convertible to a 2 seats with a table in between. The C350 also had this and I think it is a great setup.

If you want to "complete" the analysis, add the C375, which shares much of the "bones" of the C36, and they share their Associations on their website and in Mainsheet magazine.

Interesting. I never considered the C375. How many of these were made?

Other than the forward berth issue which started this, the C350 doesn't "match" any comparisons of the other four boats. In my mind, it was a one-off. Which it so happened to start or morph into the newer "5" series.

I guess you don't like the C350s much.

Personally I don't mind them and have looked at them a couple of times as a possible upgrade. But I think they might sail a little tender compared to my C310 or other boats I would consider. For around the same dollars I could get a Catalina Morgan 38cc or the C400 for a little more. Those would definitely be higher on my list but there are still many good aspects to the C350 in my mind.

 

[Bob S]

I spent last weekend in Oak Bluffs. I don't really like going there because you often have to raft 3 and 4 deep on a mooring. This late in the season it's a lot quieter. Off we went on our bikes and when we returned Saturday we had a 350 rafting to our boat. It was huge. I've been on them and also contemplated one as an upgrade but when I stepped aboard a new 355 I fell in love. Eastern Yacht sales had a 355 and a 315. I liked them both but the 355 is on our radar. I'm a few years away from an upgrade but as every season passes I fall more in love with my 30 What I didn't like about the 350 is the depth. I'm 5'9" and I felt like I was in a cave the ceiling was so high. other than that it is a beautiful boat. I don't know how it sails compared to others.

 

[DaveJ]

I can't really figure out why, but the C350 looks awkward to me?? Something is 'out of balance'. I have never been inside one, but I have been inside a C355, and WOW, I was impressed.
Sorry if I offended any C350 owners, they are great boats but for me they lack dock appeal.

 

[Solstice]

I might have to take you up on that offer. We will be in Boston for the winter starting on Nov. 1st at Constitution Marina. Where do you keep your boat?

We are at Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina. Putting the boat away for the winter and hauling this year, but perhaps next season. I live 10 minutes from Constitution, so I know your winter digs well...