I am trying to decide whether buy a 32 or a 310 and am looking for owners of the 310 who can help. I would like to know how the two compare but also opinions of the 310, given that is a new model. I'm told Catalina are already making adjustments and changes following owners feedback but can't find out what the porblems/changes might be.. Can anyone out there help???? Paul
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Me too!
Paul, I've been pondering the same question. The interior layout differences are readily apparent, my questions were mostly performance related, except for the 1.5 foot of waterline I believe most of the other performance metrics are in the 310s favor. I will be sailing in the generally light air of San Diego and am concerned about the extra weight of the 320. I also was wondering anyones thoughts on the pricing of the 310. Typically Catalina introduces boats at lower prices and slowly escalates it over the following 2 - 3 years, so does the 310 offer a better buy and less depreciation at the current price levels? I also wondered about Catalinas marketing plan as many of the older and newer models seem to overlap. Does anyone know of plans to discontinue the models without a hundred designation, (ie 30 vs 310)?
Paul, I've been pondering the same question. The interior layout differences are readily apparent, my questions were mostly performance related, except for the 1.5 foot of waterline I believe most of the other performance metrics are in the 310s favor. I will be sailing in the generally light air of San Diego and am concerned about the extra weight of the 320. I also was wondering anyones thoughts on the pricing of the 310. Typically Catalina introduces boats at lower prices and slowly escalates it over the following 2 - 3 years, so does the 310 offer a better buy and less depreciation at the current price levels? I also wondered about Catalinas marketing plan as many of the older and newer models seem to overlap. Does anyone know of plans to discontinue the models without a hundred designation, (ie 30 vs 310)?
More 310V 320
Frank, The endless debate seems to be about the interior comparisons. I havent found anyone yet who will claim the 32 is faster/slower/better under sail. So far people say there is no difference in boat speed which seems a bit surprising... Maybe this will provoke a response from the loyal 32 owners.... Paul
Frank, The endless debate seems to be about the interior comparisons. I havent found anyone yet who will claim the 32 is faster/slower/better under sail. So far people say there is no difference in boat speed which seems a bit surprising... Maybe this will provoke a response from the loyal 32 owners.... Paul
We looked at both the 310 and the 320 before deciding on the 310. While we were unable to find any individuals that sailed both, we spoke with three dealers. All three said that the boats sail very similar. We just took delivery and are very happy with the limited sailing we have done on it. I think the biggest choice is your preferance of the layout. For the two of us with infrequent overnight guests, we liked the 310. I don't think you can go wrong with either.
In my uneducated opinion,
I would be very surprised if there is any significant speed difference (i.e., that any weekend sailor would notice) between a 310 and 320, given the fact they come from the same manufacturer and appear to have similar exterior design philosophies. I am familiar with some work done by well known sailboat designers, about 10 years ago in applying sophisticated computer aided re-design of classic rowing shell hulls. They came up with a 2% increase in speed. Now this is significant when Yale is competing against Harvard, but an amateur wouldn't notice it. I doubt that Catalina could or would make a noticeable difference in hull efficiency in its 1993 320 design for its 2000 310 market. If you want speed, get the tall rig, fin keel, high performance spinnakers, feathering prop, etc., or go to a lighter boat like a Hunter or Beneteau. After doing my own 310 v. 320 v. 34 comparison, I think the only differences are those that are plainly visible. Good luck.
I would be very surprised if there is any significant speed difference (i.e., that any weekend sailor would notice) between a 310 and 320, given the fact they come from the same manufacturer and appear to have similar exterior design philosophies. I am familiar with some work done by well known sailboat designers, about 10 years ago in applying sophisticated computer aided re-design of classic rowing shell hulls. They came up with a 2% increase in speed. Now this is significant when Yale is competing against Harvard, but an amateur wouldn't notice it. I doubt that Catalina could or would make a noticeable difference in hull efficiency in its 1993 320 design for its 2000 310 market. If you want speed, get the tall rig, fin keel, high performance spinnakers, feathering prop, etc., or go to a lighter boat like a Hunter or Beneteau. After doing my own 310 v. 320 v. 34 comparison, I think the only differences are those that are plainly visible. Good luck.
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