I have a 1986 Catalina 30 which I love but am, nevertheless, thinking of purchasing a new Catalina 310. There is a choice of wing or fin keel. Any thought on the pros and cons of each?
- Status
winged vs fin keel
I too am the former owner of an 86 C-30 and am presently in the process of purchasing an 88 C-30. I have concluded that the deciding factor on winged vs fin keel should be primarily based on where the boat is kept. Shallower waters would dictate a wing keel. Most boats on the West Coast have fin keels. The concensus is that fin keels are able to point a little higher to weather than winged keels. I am also told that this difference is not great and should not be a deal breaker.
I too am the former owner of an 86 C-30 and am presently in the process of purchasing an 88 C-30. I have concluded that the deciding factor on winged vs fin keel should be primarily based on where the boat is kept. Shallower waters would dictate a wing keel. Most boats on the West Coast have fin keels. The concensus is that fin keels are able to point a little higher to weather than winged keels. I am also told that this difference is not great and should not be a deal breaker.
Driven by Need
I have a C320 with wing keel. The New England waters are infested with lots of rocks, ledges, etc. so it was just a matter of getting safer access to harbors & shallow channels. I do notice a bit of leeway when close-hauled but haven't compared it side-by-side with a C320 deep fin model. Also, the wing keel model is a bit heavier, so that might affect acceleration slightly. I suppose if you were a racer that might make a difference (though I doubt you'd be buying a C310 if that were the case). Other than that, no major differences that I can detect. --RonD
I have a C320 with wing keel. The New England waters are infested with lots of rocks, ledges, etc. so it was just a matter of getting safer access to harbors & shallow channels. I do notice a bit of leeway when close-hauled but haven't compared it side-by-side with a C320 deep fin model. Also, the wing keel model is a bit heavier, so that might affect acceleration slightly. I suppose if you were a racer that might make a difference (though I doubt you'd be buying a C310 if that were the case). Other than that, no major differences that I can detect. --RonD
a thought
I have an 86 c30 tall rig, fin keel. The pointing ability is unbelievable. I am easily able to point within 25-30 degrees (maybe even a little less) and still make headway at near hull speed. My last boat had a wing keel and I could not point nearly as high. I do think the wing is slighly better on downwind runs though.
I have an 86 c30 tall rig, fin keel. The pointing ability is unbelievable. I am easily able to point within 25-30 degrees (maybe even a little less) and still make headway at near hull speed. My last boat had a wing keel and I could not point nearly as high. I do think the wing is slighly better on downwind runs though.
Pointing
With my C320/wing keel & 135% Genoa I can regularly point 25-30 degrees close-hauled off the wind. It's all in the sail trim & balance. In 13-18 knots of wind, we can balance the boat to be essentially hands-off the helm for 5-10 minutes at a time and pull along at about 4+ knots. It doesn't point quite as well once I begin to reef in. Harder to maintain that "hands-off" in any sort of seas, too.
With my C320/wing keel & 135% Genoa I can regularly point 25-30 degrees close-hauled off the wind. It's all in the sail trim & balance. In 13-18 knots of wind, we can balance the boat to be essentially hands-off the helm for 5-10 minutes at a time and pull along at about 4+ knots. It doesn't point quite as well once I begin to reef in. Harder to maintain that "hands-off" in any sort of seas, too.
vomit rocket
My 88 wing keel is great around all these coral heads around Bermuda but it does hobby horse in seas. It seems to be able to induce seasickness in just about anyone on the open ocean. So far have met only two people who are impervious, one has been around Cape Horn, and the other has 10's of thousands of miles in the Pacific including the NW coast.
My 88 wing keel is great around all these coral heads around Bermuda but it does hobby horse in seas. It seems to be able to induce seasickness in just about anyone on the open ocean. So far have met only two people who are impervious, one has been around Cape Horn, and the other has 10's of thousands of miles in the Pacific including the NW coast.
Vomit Rocket ?????
I don't comprehend how wing vs. fin would induce hobby-horsing. Just a guess, but do you have an all chain rode?
I don't comprehend how wing vs. fin would induce hobby-horsing. Just a guess, but do you have an all chain rode?
Pretty Stable
My experience traversing the Gulf of Maine & driving into short-cycle 3-5ft seas & a stiff headwind was the boat rode it pretty well. Nobody got sick, either. Altogether, I'd say the C320 w/wing keel was a fairly stiff boat, too.
My experience traversing the Gulf of Maine & driving into short-cycle 3-5ft seas & a stiff headwind was the boat rode it pretty well. Nobody got sick, either. Altogether, I'd say the C320 w/wing keel was a fairly stiff boat, too.
50 ft of chain
My speculation is that the weight being higher up and the lower side to side resistance of the wing would cause more violent motion in a seaway. I've never spent any time on a finned C30 so it is only a speculation. I will remove my anchor and store it below next time I go to sea.
My speculation is that the weight being higher up and the lower side to side resistance of the wing would cause more violent motion in a seaway. I've never spent any time on a finned C30 so it is only a speculation. I will remove my anchor and store it below next time I go to sea.
- Status