My wife and I are thinking about buying a 310.
Has anyone sail a 310 from San Diego to Hawaii or
beyond?
Has anyone sail a 310 from San Diego to Hawaii or
beyond?
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As a 310 owner, I am definitely a proponent. I used to own a C-350, and FOR OUR PURPOSES, the 310 is a much more satisfying boat. The 310 is a more "tender" boat in my opinion. What I mean by this is, compared to the 350, it is more reponsive to nearly ANY input - wind, crew movement, sail trim, rudder, waves/wakes. That being said, it is ALSO more reponsive to light winds and scoots along in a more satisfying and gratifying fashion than the 350. It is just plain more fun, and the light and airy cabin, which allows us shorter folks to see out from, is a more comfortable and enjoyable accomodation.
However, OUR PURPOSES is the operative word. We cruise the Puget Sound, the San Juan's, and might go as far as the inside passage (Canada). However, outside the Strait, I would hesitate. NOT because the boat couldn't handle it. I believe it could easily. I am not sure my wife and I could. That tenderness I described would, I believe, translate into less long term comfort than, say, a full keeled offshore cruiser, or EVEN a C-350. I am not suggesting larger is necessarily better. A Dana 24 or a Falmouth Cutter (22 feet) is a more comfortable offshore boat, according to the "comfort ratio" numbers, and they have been all over out there (Read Lin Pardey's books...). There are a lot of boats that fall into the more traditional offshore category, and lots of information out there to be gathered.
I suspect this discussion could be a lively one, especially if you posted on the 310 site:
http://www.catalina310.org/
Please be aware, I am NOT an off shore cruiser. I have a desire to crew, and maybe someday do it myself, so take my comments with a grain of salt. Others will add to your knowledge base, from which you can make an informed decision. If you make the plunge in 310, PLEASE let us all know how it turns out. I would DEFINITELY be interested.
Jon Freeman
C-310 "Summer Sojourn'
However, OUR PURPOSES is the operative word. We cruise the Puget Sound, the San Juan's, and might go as far as the inside passage (Canada). However, outside the Strait, I would hesitate. NOT because the boat couldn't handle it. I believe it could easily. I am not sure my wife and I could. That tenderness I described would, I believe, translate into less long term comfort than, say, a full keeled offshore cruiser, or EVEN a C-350. I am not suggesting larger is necessarily better. A Dana 24 or a Falmouth Cutter (22 feet) is a more comfortable offshore boat, according to the "comfort ratio" numbers, and they have been all over out there (Read Lin Pardey's books...). There are a lot of boats that fall into the more traditional offshore category, and lots of information out there to be gathered.
I suspect this discussion could be a lively one, especially if you posted on the 310 site:
http://www.catalina310.org/
Please be aware, I am NOT an off shore cruiser. I have a desire to crew, and maybe someday do it myself, so take my comments with a grain of salt. Others will add to your knowledge base, from which you can make an informed decision. If you make the plunge in 310, PLEASE let us all know how it turns out. I would DEFINITELY be interested.
Jon Freeman
C-310 "Summer Sojourn'
darbay -
I went ahead and posted in the 310 forums.
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=109366
Let's see what the other folks say.
Jon Freeman
I went ahead and posted in the 310 forums.
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=109366
Let's see what the other folks say.
Jon Freeman
- Status