I currently sail a Hunter 26 water ballasted boat and must admit it has been a pleasure to sail. We've not taken as many trips with it on the trailer as I'd thought we would originally, so it is left dockside for most of the season. With this in mind 2 footitess (OK 6 footitess) has set in and even the first mate is ready for more creature comforts. The 320 seems to fill the bill, but many of the old salts at our harbor tell me that a larger boat is alot more difficult to sail and dock single handed. Since I do alot of sailing by myself or with friends that don't know a halyard from a sheet, what advice would all of you single handers give. The jump I made many years back from a small daysailer to the H26 didn't seem to be a huge adjustment. The larger boat if anything allowed me a little more reaction time which accually made things easier. The docking did take a few weeks to become acustom to. Is the next step up more difficult than I expect? Comments please! "Festivity" H26
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Joe Luciano
Moving Up
I moved up 2 years ago to a Catalina 30 from a Cal 27. Quite a bit of difference in the boats. The main thing that is different is that you could manhandle the 27 at the dock somewhat (7,000lb boat), while you can't manhandle the 30 (10,000lb boat). I have docked her single handed, but I'm more comfortable with a mate on board. While the boats have a few sailing characteristics that are different, the adjustments while sailing aren't major. I would suspect that a move up from your 26 to the 32 will be very noticeable, especially from a docking standpoint. But, don't sweat it, you'll get used to it soon enough. Good luck!
I moved up 2 years ago to a Catalina 30 from a Cal 27. Quite a bit of difference in the boats. The main thing that is different is that you could manhandle the 27 at the dock somewhat (7,000lb boat), while you can't manhandle the 30 (10,000lb boat). I have docked her single handed, but I'm more comfortable with a mate on board. While the boats have a few sailing characteristics that are different, the adjustments while sailing aren't major. I would suspect that a move up from your 26 to the 32 will be very noticeable, especially from a docking standpoint. But, don't sweat it, you'll get used to it soon enough. Good luck!
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Jon W
Middle Aged Salt
We just moved from a C25 to a C310, and I have to agree that the extra displacement requires me to be more deliberate when handling the boat at the dock. Double the displacement means double the inertia, I guess. Where I used to casually hop to the dock and hold the boat with one hand while tying up, I now have to pay attention! It is a handful in stronger breezes, and does cause me to think more often about bringing crew along. Sailing hasn't changed as much, although the mainsheet is more difficult to reach. Basicaly, it's mostly just a matter of adjusting technique to the different boat, and it is starting to feel more natural.
We just moved from a C25 to a C310, and I have to agree that the extra displacement requires me to be more deliberate when handling the boat at the dock. Double the displacement means double the inertia, I guess. Where I used to casually hop to the dock and hold the boat with one hand while tying up, I now have to pay attention! It is a handful in stronger breezes, and does cause me to think more often about bringing crew along. Sailing hasn't changed as much, although the mainsheet is more difficult to reach. Basicaly, it's mostly just a matter of adjusting technique to the different boat, and it is starting to feel more natural.
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Dennis Thomas
11 footitess
Two years ago we moved up from a Catl 25 to a 36. I havn't had any real trouble with docking. Sometimes it's not too pretty, but I havn't done any damage! With the expectation that it would be more difficult, I installed dock wheels at each corner of my new slip and I have "used" them a couple of times. Usually I drive into the slip while Judy picks up the docklines with the boat hook. However, I've brought it in many times alone. If there is a cross wind, I ease it in, then alow it to rest with finders against the rubber rail on the dock while I pick up the dock lines. I have the wheels and the edge of the dock also has a rubber edge. Sailing. On the 36 I can't steer and handle the mainsheet together easily. I can usually make minor adjustments by leaving the helm for a few moments. The 36 does a good job of sailing alone with the jib and main balanced. However, I also have an auto pilot! When it's blowing and I have to be more deliberate in my movements around the boat, the autopilot is wonderfull. The auto pilot has been a great revelation to me. I am sure I would not have bought one for a boat on an inland lake. I believed they were for single handers on ocean passages that needed the sleep. However, my new boat had one already and I have learned to love it. It makes single handing possible and it makes sailing with just my wife and I a real pleasure. It really is like having a third person on board so that we can work together on other problems. Good luck on moveing up. I was looking for a 30 to 32 when I found the 36 in my price range. We love the boat.
Two years ago we moved up from a Catl 25 to a 36. I havn't had any real trouble with docking. Sometimes it's not too pretty, but I havn't done any damage! With the expectation that it would be more difficult, I installed dock wheels at each corner of my new slip and I have "used" them a couple of times. Usually I drive into the slip while Judy picks up the docklines with the boat hook. However, I've brought it in many times alone. If there is a cross wind, I ease it in, then alow it to rest with finders against the rubber rail on the dock while I pick up the dock lines. I have the wheels and the edge of the dock also has a rubber edge. Sailing. On the 36 I can't steer and handle the mainsheet together easily. I can usually make minor adjustments by leaving the helm for a few moments. The 36 does a good job of sailing alone with the jib and main balanced. However, I also have an auto pilot! When it's blowing and I have to be more deliberate in my movements around the boat, the autopilot is wonderfull. The auto pilot has been a great revelation to me. I am sure I would not have bought one for a boat on an inland lake. I believed they were for single handers on ocean passages that needed the sleep. However, my new boat had one already and I have learned to love it. It makes single handing possible and it makes sailing with just my wife and I a real pleasure. It really is like having a third person on board so that we can work together on other problems. Good luck on moveing up. I was looking for a 30 to 32 when I found the 36 in my price range. We love the boat.
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Bill Byrd
Difference - Yes.
I moved up from a C-22 to a C-30. There were noticeable differences in those two boats. As stated previously, I could manhandle the smaller one whereas I have must carry out a plan more often in the 30. With the 22, I could be more impulsive. If my impulse was a mistake, oh well, I could just quickly get out of it. With the larger boat, It takes longer to accomplish certain tasks - docking, setting sails (especially the main), etc. If what you do is not quite right (we never mess up that way, do we?), it takes longer to recover. I've noticed this most when I find that I should have shortened sail earlier. There is a lot more canvas and travel for bolts and halyards on the larger boat, so it takes more time to correct. This all while there is a lot of pressure on the lines. In all, I have enjoyed the move up. I just have to be more deliberate about what I do. Like you, I single-hand. Good luck, and take care. Fair Winds........... Bill SV "Eagle's Nest"
I moved up from a C-22 to a C-30. There were noticeable differences in those two boats. As stated previously, I could manhandle the smaller one whereas I have must carry out a plan more often in the 30. With the 22, I could be more impulsive. If my impulse was a mistake, oh well, I could just quickly get out of it. With the larger boat, It takes longer to accomplish certain tasks - docking, setting sails (especially the main), etc. If what you do is not quite right (we never mess up that way, do we?), it takes longer to recover. I've noticed this most when I find that I should have shortened sail earlier. There is a lot more canvas and travel for bolts and halyards on the larger boat, so it takes more time to correct. This all while there is a lot of pressure on the lines. In all, I have enjoyed the move up. I just have to be more deliberate about what I do. Like you, I single-hand. Good luck, and take care. Fair Winds........... Bill SV "Eagle's Nest"
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Peter Clancy
Main Criteria
I started out sailing a Hobie 16, then a Hunter 22, then a Kelt 9 Meter (French)Racer/Cruiser and now a great Catalina 320. Every move up meant more sailing opportunities, more cruising comforts, bringing along more friends and a much happier wife. Never thought much about the handling differences. You can single hand the C320, but I'd suggest an autopilot for convenience. The C320 is very maneuveable under power which would, I think, help with docking. I think the 32' to 35' range is about max for single-handling although a furling mainsail could extend the boat size.
I started out sailing a Hobie 16, then a Hunter 22, then a Kelt 9 Meter (French)Racer/Cruiser and now a great Catalina 320. Every move up meant more sailing opportunities, more cruising comforts, bringing along more friends and a much happier wife. Never thought much about the handling differences. You can single hand the C320, but I'd suggest an autopilot for convenience. The C320 is very maneuveable under power which would, I think, help with docking. I think the 32' to 35' range is about max for single-handling although a furling mainsail could extend the boat size.
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George
Where do ou sail?
Bill, where do you sail your C-30? George C-30 Stormy Monday Melbourne, Florida stormy_mondau_2000@yahoo.com
Bill, where do you sail your C-30? George C-30 Stormy Monday Melbourne, Florida stormy_mondau_2000@yahoo.com
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Chuck
Go Ahead, and don't worry
I went from a C-22 to a C-30. I sailed the 22 for 5 years, and now have 8 seasons with the 30. I have not regretted the move up for one second. In most cases the 30 has been easier to sail. Once you realize that both boats are displacement hulls, their characteristics are very similar. With just a little planning, you can easily handle a larger boat. The rewards are a lot more comfort, and a lot more time on the water. Go ahead and don't worry.
I went from a C-22 to a C-30. I sailed the 22 for 5 years, and now have 8 seasons with the 30. I have not regretted the move up for one second. In most cases the 30 has been easier to sail. Once you realize that both boats are displacement hulls, their characteristics are very similar. With just a little planning, you can easily handle a larger boat. The rewards are a lot more comfort, and a lot more time on the water. Go ahead and don't worry.
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