I have been looking at Catalina 310's, but have recently been drawn to the new 350. Sailing will be inland lake, mostly single-handed, with the wife or a friend along perhaps 30% of the time. Would appreciate any comments on the boat - does anyone think the 350 too much boat of a large inland lake? Thanks.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
Depends on your needs & pocketbook
If you can afford it and really like it, why not? Then again, keep in mind that every foot of LOD increases the cost of maintenance and moorage exponentially. If it were me & I was singlehanding with occasional company, I'd stick with the 310 for ease of handling and maintenance. LaDonna
If you can afford it and really like it, why not? Then again, keep in mind that every foot of LOD increases the cost of maintenance and moorage exponentially. If it were me & I was singlehanding with occasional company, I'd stick with the 310 for ease of handling and maintenance. LaDonna
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Greg
A 350 would be fine.
A 350 wouldn't be too much to single-hand, assuming you have an autopilot. However, if this is a first boat, a 310 might be a little less intimidating during docking. I started with a 320, before moving up to a 36 mk II - which I single-hand often. It used to look gigantic to me, but it didn't take long to grow into it. As for whether a 350 is too large for an inland lake - well, we've got sailboats as big as 45 feet on our lake, and I'm sure there's bigger ones I don't know about.
A 350 wouldn't be too much to single-hand, assuming you have an autopilot. However, if this is a first boat, a 310 might be a little less intimidating during docking. I started with a 320, before moving up to a 36 mk II - which I single-hand often. It used to look gigantic to me, but it didn't take long to grow into it. As for whether a 350 is too large for an inland lake - well, we've got sailboats as big as 45 feet on our lake, and I'm sure there's bigger ones I don't know about.
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roger marshutz
310
I have a 310 and love it . Easy to single hand, but an auto pilot would be a real plus. roger
I have a 310 and love it . Easy to single hand, but an auto pilot would be a real plus. roger
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Chris Hyland
get the 350
Ed, In my experience spouses who aren't crazy about boats like bigger boats much better. I'd get the 350 and I think you'll find you get company more often... Of course, this assumes you want company! Regards, Chris
Ed, In my experience spouses who aren't crazy about boats like bigger boats much better. I'd get the 350 and I think you'll find you get company more often... Of course, this assumes you want company! Regards, Chris
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Bob
How big is too big?
Ed, I have a 2001 Catalina 310 that I sail on Lake Erie. Lake Erie is shallow with steep waves, a lot of chop, and prevailing 10-20 kt SW winds in the summer with almost daily threats of thunder storms. The 310 does well on all accounts and is very easy to reef to make overpowered sailing go away. The Admiral likes this. Over 50% of the time it is just the Admiral and myself on the boat. We often have our 5 year old grandson with us and the boat is perfect for one or two little people plus a couple. The accomodations for two are as good as it gets with the centerline "real bed" in the forward cabin. The salon is smaller than most 30 footers but is fine for a couple. The aft cabin is huge and accomodqtes all of our stuff and provides ample storage for cockpit cushons, etc. The times when we have another couple or a few friends on the boat for a weekend seem to work out fine especially for sailing and cockpit lounging. Living down below for a few days would get a little cramped for four and will not work for six unless weather permits sleeping two in the cockpit. Re sailing and single handing, the boat is as easy as a Catalina 22 to sail. Sail raising and piloting is a snap especially with an autopilot to hold her into the wind and allow the Dutchman flaking system to do its thing. Docking and undocking really needs two people especially if there is any wind and/or if your slip is not sailor friendly. While I have not been on a 350 it has been described to me as a large version of the 310. I am sure it too would be a great boat. The 310 is more than enough boat for us, and I would be hard pressed to justify going to a larger, more expensive, heavier, larger sail area boat. Good luck with your decision.
Ed, I have a 2001 Catalina 310 that I sail on Lake Erie. Lake Erie is shallow with steep waves, a lot of chop, and prevailing 10-20 kt SW winds in the summer with almost daily threats of thunder storms. The 310 does well on all accounts and is very easy to reef to make overpowered sailing go away. The Admiral likes this. Over 50% of the time it is just the Admiral and myself on the boat. We often have our 5 year old grandson with us and the boat is perfect for one or two little people plus a couple. The accomodations for two are as good as it gets with the centerline "real bed" in the forward cabin. The salon is smaller than most 30 footers but is fine for a couple. The aft cabin is huge and accomodqtes all of our stuff and provides ample storage for cockpit cushons, etc. The times when we have another couple or a few friends on the boat for a weekend seem to work out fine especially for sailing and cockpit lounging. Living down below for a few days would get a little cramped for four and will not work for six unless weather permits sleeping two in the cockpit. Re sailing and single handing, the boat is as easy as a Catalina 22 to sail. Sail raising and piloting is a snap especially with an autopilot to hold her into the wind and allow the Dutchman flaking system to do its thing. Docking and undocking really needs two people especially if there is any wind and/or if your slip is not sailor friendly. While I have not been on a 350 it has been described to me as a large version of the 310. I am sure it too would be a great boat. The 310 is more than enough boat for us, and I would be hard pressed to justify going to a larger, more expensive, heavier, larger sail area boat. Good luck with your decision.
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Ed
Thank You
Bob: Thank you so much for the input. My Admiral is also favoring the 310, so we may well head that direction. Have a great weekend. Ed
Bob: Thank you so much for the input. My Admiral is also favoring the 310, so we may well head that direction. Have a great weekend. Ed
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Dennis Thomas
Will you be on Hubbard?
If you'll be keeping the boat at Chandler's I would definately stay with the 310. I used to sail a 32' Hunter out of Captain's Cove and that was almost too big for that water. Where would you go? Down to Rush Creek and back? To me, Ray Hubbard is an excellent racing lake. It was great when thay had the olympic circle out there off Chander's Landing. But it doesn't offer much to the cruser/overnighter. Therefore, a smaller more nibble boat makes more sense to me.
If you'll be keeping the boat at Chandler's I would definately stay with the 310. I used to sail a 32' Hunter out of Captain's Cove and that was almost too big for that water. Where would you go? Down to Rush Creek and back? To me, Ray Hubbard is an excellent racing lake. It was great when thay had the olympic circle out there off Chander's Landing. But it doesn't offer much to the cruser/overnighter. Therefore, a smaller more nibble boat makes more sense to me.
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Jeff
I agree
Ed, all the postings are correct and it gets down to what you like and how you will use it. In your case I really have to agree with Dennis. If you are going to sail on Hubbard, go with the 310. The added cost for the boat and upkeep combined with the limits of the lake probably don't justify the 350. If you plan on sailing Texoma, either would be perfect. We sail a 310 on Lake Travis. It is great for our use and needs (we spend almost every weekend on it). When we go bigger, we will drop it on the coast. If I recall, Inland Sailing has sold at least one 310 that is kept on Hubbard. You may be able to locate the owners and get their thoughts.
Ed, all the postings are correct and it gets down to what you like and how you will use it. In your case I really have to agree with Dennis. If you are going to sail on Hubbard, go with the 310. The added cost for the boat and upkeep combined with the limits of the lake probably don't justify the 350. If you plan on sailing Texoma, either would be perfect. We sail a 310 on Lake Travis. It is great for our use and needs (we spend almost every weekend on it). When we go bigger, we will drop it on the coast. If I recall, Inland Sailing has sold at least one 310 that is kept on Hubbard. You may be able to locate the owners and get their thoughts.
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Ron
Autopilot caution
I have a C320 and the responses about single-handing with the autopliot are certainly true. However, that assumes the autopilot works. Mine failed suddenly on a coastal passage, resulting in a very unexpected jibe! If (and someday this can happen) it suddenly quits working, then you have a heavy boat to manhandle wheel & lines on in a cockpit that says you can't really do both (unless you have exceptionally long arms & agility). For safety's sake, don't go out alone in anything more than light air. I have also found that the autopilot can have trouble holding the boat into the wind (or on a close haul) if the sails are unbalanced. If you are attempting to drop sail or reef, that will be the case. The comment about docking a heavier displacement boat is appropriate too. My C320 (12,000 lb displacement) is generally easy to handle but can be a handfull when wind & current are working against you in a tight spot (most marinas). Learn the characteristics of your prop in forward & reverse! Definately a job for a crew of two (or more).
I have a C320 and the responses about single-handing with the autopliot are certainly true. However, that assumes the autopilot works. Mine failed suddenly on a coastal passage, resulting in a very unexpected jibe! If (and someday this can happen) it suddenly quits working, then you have a heavy boat to manhandle wheel & lines on in a cockpit that says you can't really do both (unless you have exceptionally long arms & agility). For safety's sake, don't go out alone in anything more than light air. I have also found that the autopilot can have trouble holding the boat into the wind (or on a close haul) if the sails are unbalanced. If you are attempting to drop sail or reef, that will be the case. The comment about docking a heavier displacement boat is appropriate too. My C320 (12,000 lb displacement) is generally easy to handle but can be a handfull when wind & current are working against you in a tight spot (most marinas). Learn the characteristics of your prop in forward & reverse! Definately a job for a crew of two (or more).
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Rusty
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Ed, I have a Catalina 350 in stock. She arrived yesterday. You are more than welcome to come up and take pictures and make notes.
Ed, I have a Catalina 350 in stock. She arrived yesterday. You are more than welcome to come up and take pictures and make notes.
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Guest
350
Thanks Jeff: Because of proximity to my home I will be on Ray Hubbard for at least a year or so, then perhaps moving it up to Texoma. We are thinking of it as a weekend getaway, as well as for sailing.
Thanks Jeff: Because of proximity to my home I will be on Ray Hubbard for at least a year or so, then perhaps moving it up to Texoma. We are thinking of it as a weekend getaway, as well as for sailing.
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