The Admiral and I are considering moving up from our Hunter 28.5 to a boat in the 36 to 40 foot range. Our normal cruising grounds are from south Puget Sound up to the inside passage of Vancouver Island. We would like to expand our cruising range to include the outside of Vancouver Island and north to Alaska. At some point a trip down west coast to Mexico is a possibility. We spend most of our time in protected waters on short trips so would like to have the maneuverability of a boat with a fin keel. We have been looking at Hunters, Delphias, and Catalinas because they a moderately priced and we like the layout of the cabin. The dealers at the boat show said they are blue water boats but I would like less biased feedback. Thanks in advance! Craig
Movin' Up
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Craig, we move up from an H28 to C36
I have to say I looked around a long time and liked the C-36 MKII best for the money and to please the Admiral. I was looking at different build boats but the Admiral didn't like the cabin layouts. The C-36 MKII was about the best we could afford. I like all boats. Hunter 36 and 38 are nice too! I would not restart the blue water boats issue. Look at a Han Christian and see if these boats measure up.
I have to say I looked around a long time and liked the C-36 MKII best for the money and to please the Admiral. I was looking at different build boats but the Admiral didn't like the cabin layouts. The C-36 MKII was about the best we could afford. I like all boats. Hunter 36 and 38 are nice too! I would not restart the blue water boats issue. Look at a Han Christian and see if these boats measure up.
Thanks
Thank you for the information and feedback. We are not looking to open the blue water can of worms. We are more interested in a coastal cruiser that we can take off the coast and is sturdy enough to get us back in to a safe harbor if our weather window doesn't hold. The coast off Washington and BC can get nasty. We spend a couple months during the summer on our current boat and want a balance of safety, comfort, ease of operation, and cost. Thanks again
Thank you for the information and feedback. We are not looking to open the blue water can of worms. We are more interested in a coastal cruiser that we can take off the coast and is sturdy enough to get us back in to a safe harbor if our weather window doesn't hold. The coast off Washington and BC can get nasty. We spend a couple months during the summer on our current boat and want a balance of safety, comfort, ease of operation, and cost. Thanks again
keel
We spend a fair amount of time trying to squeeze into tight spots at docks. We have never had or sailed a full keel boat. I have heard they don't back or turn well under power.
We spend a fair amount of time trying to squeeze into tight spots at docks. We have never had or sailed a full keel boat. I have heard they don't back or turn well under power.
Craig, I have a full keel boat and you can learn to deal with it
Among other things they seem to be more forgiving than fin keel boats. There is much to be learned about what constitutes the ideal boat and crew. The best advise that I have ever received was "Make haste slowly".
Among other things they seem to be more forgiving than fin keel boats. There is much to be learned about what constitutes the ideal boat and crew. The best advise that I have ever received was "Make haste slowly".
Full Keel
I have a somewhat limited experience with full keel boats, but they are not as bad as some let on. They do respond slower to the helm, and are a little more difficult to back down. BUT This is just something that you have to get accustomed to, it does not make it impossible or improbable. Just a learning curve.
I have a somewhat limited experience with full keel boats, but they are not as bad as some let on. They do respond slower to the helm, and are a little more difficult to back down. BUT This is just something that you have to get accustomed to, it does not make it impossible or improbable. Just a learning curve.
Hi Craig, when we decided to move up from our...
H28 we looked at lots of boat brands and models. Kept coming back to Hunter. I wanted the 40.5, but then there was a Passage 42 for sale a few slips over. One look by the admiral and the decision was made. The rest as they say is history. We've sailed Belle-Vie several thousand miles all in PNW waters. This season we'll be out for our fourth two month cruise this time with Ocean Falls, BC, CA as our destination. Very strong, fast, stiff and comfortable. Check out the linked Knowledge Base plus the Photo Forum where I've posted several P42 projects. She is great and can handle passage making as several of this model have done. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?model=45 http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/menu.tpl?fno=17 Terry
H28 we looked at lots of boat brands and models. Kept coming back to Hunter. I wanted the 40.5, but then there was a Passage 42 for sale a few slips over. One look by the admiral and the decision was made. The rest as they say is history. We've sailed Belle-Vie several thousand miles all in PNW waters. This season we'll be out for our fourth two month cruise this time with Ocean Falls, BC, CA as our destination. Very strong, fast, stiff and comfortable. Check out the linked Knowledge Base plus the Photo Forum where I've posted several P42 projects. She is great and can handle passage making as several of this model have done. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?model=45 http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/menu.tpl?fno=17 Terry
CAPS Speaker on C36 Circumnavigation
Craig - interesting you should ask. The speakers scheduled for this month's CAPS (Catalina Association of Puget Sound) meeting - Friday February 8th - are Stefan and Alecia Elvstad who will be talking about the circumnavigation they did in their Catalina 36. See more about it - and other CAPS stuff - in their recent monthly newsletter: http://www.capsfleet1.com/NewsLetters/2008_02.pdf CAPS homepage: http://www.capsfleet1.com/ As an aside for Bob V, which C350 (hull number, name) did you own? Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Craig - interesting you should ask. The speakers scheduled for this month's CAPS (Catalina Association of Puget Sound) meeting - Friday February 8th - are Stefan and Alecia Elvstad who will be talking about the circumnavigation they did in their Catalina 36. See more about it - and other CAPS stuff - in their recent monthly newsletter: http://www.capsfleet1.com/NewsLetters/2008_02.pdf CAPS homepage: http://www.capsfleet1.com/ As an aside for Bob V, which C350 (hull number, name) did you own? Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Went from a CS 27 to Catalina 350
We went from a CS 27 to a Catalina 350 2 years ago. 2 adults, 3 kids and a dog were quite cramped in the 27. But we love our 350. It handles the heavy air very comfortably, and hopefully when we add an asym. spinaker we will be able to sail a little more efficiently in light airs. The 35 HP also pushes us quite nicely through the water. Ralph
We went from a CS 27 to a Catalina 350 2 years ago. 2 adults, 3 kids and a dog were quite cramped in the 27. But we love our 350. It handles the heavy air very comfortably, and hopefully when we add an asym. spinaker we will be able to sail a little more efficiently in light airs. The 35 HP also pushes us quite nicely through the water. Ralph
Having owned..
The following is OPINION based on experience: Having owned many boats including many "coastal cruisers" I personally would not feel comfortable taking a lower priced "coastal cruiser" up to Alaska and down to Mexico. Can it be done? Certainly, but there are much better choices for that type of sailing. If you want & need a roomy fin keeler you might consider brands that are better constructed such as Ericson, Sabre, Tartan, CS or C&C, to name a few, before you consider a Catalina, Hunter, Beneteau or Jenneau (unless it's the Beneteau First series). The guys at boat shows will tell you what you want to hear but when you begin examining construction techniques such as tabbed bulkheads, hull thickness, rudder bearings and reinforcement companion way size et.al you'll see and feel the difference on the water. Fr example my 2005 Catalina flexed and creaked in winds over 25 knots, so did my 1986 C-36 and so did my 1982 C-30 and so do the many Beneteuas and Hunters I've sailed on. This is not a bad thing and is to be expected on boats designed for coastal cruising. When you set foot on a solidly built boat in 25+ and there is no comparison. My current boat is a 1979 fin keeler and nothing moves, creaks or flexes and it does not pound when beating to weather she also tracks straight and true. Sure, I really liked all my Catalina's 30, 36 & 310, for their intended purpose, but they simply do not compare to the build quality of my current boat or an Ericson or Tartan or Sabre and the quality built boats won't cost you that much more. If you spend more time at the dock or sailing in bays a Catalina, Hunter or Beneteau is a perfect boat. If you want to do some extended off shore work you can do better and for not much more money.. Please don't get me wrong and start flaming me. I am in no way saying Catalina's Hunter's or Beneteau's are bad boats. All I'm saying is they are purpose built boats and that purpose is not extended blue water sailing. The outside passage to Alaska and of shore to Mexico are not generally considered benign coastal sailing!
The following is OPINION based on experience: Having owned many boats including many "coastal cruisers" I personally would not feel comfortable taking a lower priced "coastal cruiser" up to Alaska and down to Mexico. Can it be done? Certainly, but there are much better choices for that type of sailing. If you want & need a roomy fin keeler you might consider brands that are better constructed such as Ericson, Sabre, Tartan, CS or C&C, to name a few, before you consider a Catalina, Hunter, Beneteau or Jenneau (unless it's the Beneteau First series). The guys at boat shows will tell you what you want to hear but when you begin examining construction techniques such as tabbed bulkheads, hull thickness, rudder bearings and reinforcement companion way size et.al you'll see and feel the difference on the water. Fr example my 2005 Catalina flexed and creaked in winds over 25 knots, so did my 1986 C-36 and so did my 1982 C-30 and so do the many Beneteuas and Hunters I've sailed on. This is not a bad thing and is to be expected on boats designed for coastal cruising. When you set foot on a solidly built boat in 25+ and there is no comparison. My current boat is a 1979 fin keeler and nothing moves, creaks or flexes and it does not pound when beating to weather she also tracks straight and true. Sure, I really liked all my Catalina's 30, 36 & 310, for their intended purpose, but they simply do not compare to the build quality of my current boat or an Ericson or Tartan or Sabre and the quality built boats won't cost you that much more. If you spend more time at the dock or sailing in bays a Catalina, Hunter or Beneteau is a perfect boat. If you want to do some extended off shore work you can do better and for not much more money.. Please don't get me wrong and start flaming me. I am in no way saying Catalina's Hunter's or Beneteau's are bad boats. All I'm saying is they are purpose built boats and that purpose is not extended blue water sailing. The outside passage to Alaska and of shore to Mexico are not generally considered benign coastal sailing!
Hi Tim
I hope no one took my comments re: the C350 as disrespectful. I think it is a great boat. My wife and I ordered hull #363 back in spring '05. It was intended to be our last boat, hence the name "Someday". I told people right from the start when they asked why we selected the C350 that we liked to hang around anchorages in comfort. We're cruisers not racers. It was a major step up from our old Hunter 30 which is also an excellent boat. That was a major step up from our Mac 26 D which IMHO is another great boat. They have all served their purpose for us. I always said that the C350 was an great foundation to build a cruising boat on. I was well into that project when "Someday" was two years old. I had added a starting battery, bigger alternator, voltage regulator, solar panel, hydronic heat, etc. We retired in '04, so we have been able to do a lot of cruising in the PNW in the two years that we owned "Someday". It was on the second last day of a month long trip to the Gulf Islands that we stopped in Friday Harbor on the way home. It was June so the docks were not crowded. We pulled in with empty docks all around us and watched them fill up with C42's, mostly charter boats. I had never seen one up close before and I liked them a lot. I was not in the market for a new boat nor was the Admiral. The clincher was when we met a couple on the dock that are live-aboards on their C42. They invited us over to have a look and that was that. The Admiral was the one to bring it up as we were crossing the strait. We called our broker when we got home and worked out the details. By the way Tim, I've always enjoyed your posts on the C350 Association site. There is a lot of good info there. Bob V s/v Lucy C42 MkII #1003
I hope no one took my comments re: the C350 as disrespectful. I think it is a great boat. My wife and I ordered hull #363 back in spring '05. It was intended to be our last boat, hence the name "Someday". I told people right from the start when they asked why we selected the C350 that we liked to hang around anchorages in comfort. We're cruisers not racers. It was a major step up from our old Hunter 30 which is also an excellent boat. That was a major step up from our Mac 26 D which IMHO is another great boat. They have all served their purpose for us. I always said that the C350 was an great foundation to build a cruising boat on. I was well into that project when "Someday" was two years old. I had added a starting battery, bigger alternator, voltage regulator, solar panel, hydronic heat, etc. We retired in '04, so we have been able to do a lot of cruising in the PNW in the two years that we owned "Someday". It was on the second last day of a month long trip to the Gulf Islands that we stopped in Friday Harbor on the way home. It was June so the docks were not crowded. We pulled in with empty docks all around us and watched them fill up with C42's, mostly charter boats. I had never seen one up close before and I liked them a lot. I was not in the market for a new boat nor was the Admiral. The clincher was when we met a couple on the dock that are live-aboards on their C42. They invited us over to have a look and that was that. The Admiral was the one to bring it up as we were crossing the strait. We called our broker when we got home and worked out the details. By the way Tim, I've always enjoyed your posts on the C350 Association site. There is a lot of good info there. Bob V s/v Lucy C42 MkII #1003
Thanks Bob
Thanks for the kind words Bob. By the way, we call our autopilot "Lucy" - as in "Loooocy! You got some 'splainin' to doooo!" C42 is a nice boat. Good Luck! Tim Brogan C350 #68 Seattle
Thanks for the kind words Bob. By the way, we call our autopilot "Lucy" - as in "Loooocy! You got some 'splainin' to doooo!" C42 is a nice boat. Good Luck! Tim Brogan C350 #68 Seattle
not blue water cruisers
I would offer that the boats you listed are not "blue water" boats, depending on your cruising grounds and weather they may be decent coastal cruisers. I would look at the Sabres (I am partial, I have a 38), Tartan, Passport and the like. Much more capable and less worry if you do run in to bad weather. Do your homework and double check every thing the dealer tells you, many are not even knowledeable in the boats they sell, let alone the fine details.. all the best dave
I would offer that the boats you listed are not "blue water" boats, depending on your cruising grounds and weather they may be decent coastal cruisers. I would look at the Sabres (I am partial, I have a 38), Tartan, Passport and the like. Much more capable and less worry if you do run in to bad weather. Do your homework and double check every thing the dealer tells you, many are not even knowledeable in the boats they sell, let alone the fine details.. all the best dave
Mine did too Maine Sail
Fr example my 2002 Catalina flexed and creaked in winds over 25 knots outside. I don't think it sounded good at all. Inside winds over 30 are no problem. You get what you pay for, it is that simple. Still it is hard to define a blue water boat vs a coastal crusier.
Fr example my 2002 Catalina flexed and creaked in winds over 25 knots outside. I don't think it sounded good at all. Inside winds over 30 are no problem. You get what you pay for, it is that simple. Still it is hard to define a blue water boat vs a coastal crusier.
I'm going
to support everything Maine sail said. It doesn't much matter what you have till you're caught out in a big blow. When you find yourself unable to run into a harbor safely then you'll wish for a well founded boat in a big way.
to support everything Maine sail said. It doesn't much matter what you have till you're caught out in a big blow. When you find yourself unable to run into a harbor safely then you'll wish for a well founded boat in a big way.
Just have two thoughts for ya
1. Steel 2. Hull There is a lot of flotsam on the north coast to say nothing of ice. And you dont see very many CW articles about Catalinas in Alaska. Also once you bounce your way past Point Conception, there are the shipping lanes. Good luck
1. Steel 2. Hull There is a lot of flotsam on the north coast to say nothing of ice. And you dont see very many CW articles about Catalinas in Alaska. Also once you bounce your way past Point Conception, there are the shipping lanes. Good luck
My boat has sailed
from Florida through the canal up to San Francisco back to San diego and I wish I would have sailed it back to Seattle but trucked it instead ( big Mistake ) Anyway I sill don't consider it a bluwater boat. it's an Irwin 41 and as I stated before, anything can do it, but that dosent stack the deck in your favor.
from Florida through the canal up to San Francisco back to San diego and I wish I would have sailed it back to Seattle but trucked it instead ( big Mistake ) Anyway I sill don't consider it a bluwater boat. it's an Irwin 41 and as I stated before, anything can do it, but that dosent stack the deck in your favor.
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