Blue water sailing

[Patrick I.]

Hi Dave,Thanks so much for your time and expertise!I have a new Catalina 320. I have received some conflicting information concerning the bluewater capabilities of this boat. Some people say it's not the boat for such travel as from California to the South Pacific. Yet it has an "A" rating for unrestricted ocean going and Catalina also backs this up What's your opinion. Thanks, Pat

 

[Dave Abt]

Cat 320 offshore

Hi Pat...This is a good question. There is no doubt that most boats can withstand much more than we can. I beleive she would be able to take most anything presented to her. Additionally, I am sure that there are many people making passages in these and similar boats. I consider the 320 to be an excellent coastal boat and although it is rated for all oceans, it probably would not be my first choice for a long passage. This feeling stems from a design and layout perspective more than anything else. (please see my mypost on thoughts on a generaic offshore boats). The 320 is a realitvely light boat, and as such it will be bounced and tossed around in a seaway more than a heavier boat. Additionally, the storage available for food, spares, water and fuel is less than heavier more convential offhsore vessels as a function of her flat bottom and shallow bilges. I just returned from delivering a new "offshore" racing yacht to Newport. The seas were calm for the most part and I was reminded on how much harder of a ride that boat provided over a traditional medium - heavy displacement vessel. A dear friend once asked when I was looking for my first offshore passgemaking boat, if I planned to do extended passages, I said yes. She then asked if I liked to heel, I said sure, then she asked if I wanted to cook 3 meals a day, walk around and sleep for 20 days at a 15 degree heel... I said NOT REALLY. It did then, and continues to have a major influence over my thoughts about passagemaking vessels.The important thing to remember is that for everything I have said in this post, there will be at least one person suggesting that I am wrong and that this boat or that boat has made the run. They are absolutely correct. The question is do you want to? My advice is to find a day that is absolutely ugly, one that no one would ever think about going out in, and GO out. Spend 12-14 hours out there and see what you think. A good test, might be sail out for 2 -3 days and then back in to get a feel for how she handles. I would advise upgrading the sea cocks and also modifying the cockpit drains to allow for faster discharge of water in the event you flood the cockpit.Good Luck and I hope I have provided some insight into your question.dave

 

[Tom]

Good post Dave

I agree with everything you've said. One comment though. You remarked about modifying the cockpit drains to allow for faster discharge of water in the event you flood the cockpit....Well, I beleive, in the Catalina 320 (at least the newer ones as well as all the newer Catalina's). They have an "open" transom with the capability for the cockpit to drain rather quickly (under the helmseat)in the case you mentioned above(take a look at Catalina Web site I have linked below). I also note that it might be a little easier to "drag" a man overboard back on through the walk thru transom with a lifesling or something else. As opposed to trying and get a MOB back over the lifelines.What are your feelings with this arrangement as opposed to a closed transom....(FYI it takes undoing 2 latches that hold the railing behind the helm and then flipping the railing in the water ---which now becomes a ladder and also undoing 2 latches that hold the fiberglass helmsman seat in place to actually make it a walkthru transom....I think fairly unlikely to happen accidently)

 

[dave abt]

cockpit drains

Tom, you are absolutely correct, I forgot this boat has an open cockpit.As a general rule I do not like open transoms on offshore boats. Two reasons, 1) it is much easier to have a sea climb into the cockpit and ultimately the cabin with an open stern, and 2) If you take a big wave into the cockpit, it will moist likely carry the insert away with it and possibly pull you through as well. This seems unlikey, but about 2 years ago, we worked on a 42'truly offhsore boat that had taken a knockdown and the wave twisted the boom gallows 45 degrees. The Gallows were make of 2" SS thick walled pipe. Waves out there are incredibly powerful. I do agree with you that the walk through transom is much easier to get people back aboard, as well as accessing dinks and swimming. If the intended usage is coastal and you can pick your weather, I think it is a great idea otherwise I would prefere a small enclosed cockpit.dave