Potential New Owner

[jhinton]

Hello All,

We are currently looking to move from a C30 to the C310 and are looking at a 2000 single owner boat. What are some common issues I should be keeping an eye out for in the 310? We like many of the features of the 310 and I (6'2") am looking forward to a little more room at night while not having to manage too big of a boat.

On a side note, does anyone have a trailer for their 310?

Thanks for any input!

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

A couple of items that are generally an issue with the 310s of the year you are looking at can be the damper plate and the compression post.

The damper plates that Catalina used are not good quality and will go when the engine is idled too low. This engine should be idled between 1,000 to 1,200 RPMs. Motor mounts could also be an issue with too much low idling. Oh, and check the bulkhead behind the exhaust elbow. It's too close and didn't initially have any insulation. Some caught on fire.

On the compression post, some of the first models had a post that was too short. If this is the case, Catalina will send you an extension (about 1/4 of an inch) that you can install without too much work.

I would bet you will find a fair amount of differed maintenance.

If it's this boat on yatchworld.com (http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2000/Catalina-310-2444733/Annapolis/MD/United-States) you can see in the photos that the chain plates and/or stanchions already leaked. Not too uncommon, mine had the same issue. Some people that buy new boats don't do the maintenance they should and it happens. Make sure the surveyor uses a moisture meter and finds how wet the decks are around any penetrations. Mine only went a couple of inches, so rebidding was all that was required.

This boat is listed as having a dripless stuffing box. If that was installed at commissioning or close to it you might have another costly project. Those are generally have a 10 year life to them (at least official, many have lasted longer). That would require removing the prop and the shaft. You might have to replace the transmission coupling. It's not too bad of a project if you do it yourself but could cost a lot if you pay a yard to do it.

Oh, the Flyback chargers that come stock are kind of crap. If it still has that you would want to put that on the short list for replacing. The massive 4D batteries might also be ready and do you back a favor and look at going with smaller batteries. Either some group 31s or 4 golf cart/6 volt batteries.

The owners group for the C310 is really good. There are a lot of knowledgeable owners and someone has probably already dealt with any problem that you may have.

Some specs will list the shoal draft at 4'4", it's really 4'10". Not a huge deal for most but could be a problem if you need those 6" to get into your home port.

The one I put the link up for seems to be a little under priced. So if that is the one you are looking at you might want to find out why. From reading the listing my guess would be the lack of radar and chart plotter and the deferred maintenance. Still could be a really good boat.

From a general C310 perspective, we love ours. We have looked at many bigger boats including the C34, C36 and C38 and find that the C310 is much more livable for the space. We are getting ours ready to sail down the east coast and through the Bahamas and the Caribbean. We have had ours in some pretty gnarly conditions and find she is capable of handling more then we are. We have done a fair amount of modifications to ours and you can read about most on our blog. I also highly recommend you read every post on the C310 forum. Lots of good info out there.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

 

[jhinton]

Thank you Jesse for all of the tips. I will take a look at those when we take a look at them again.

I have been reading through all the posts over the past few weeks and like many of the other Catalina groups I have been a part of, this group seems to have a lot of knowledge and friendly people.

You are correct. The link you posted is in fact the one we are looking at locally. However, there is also one up in Rock Hall, MD and one in Noank, CT that we may look at. They are priced about 10k more than the Annapolis one.

We were a little bit wary of the boat based on its low price as well. As far as a lack of radar and chartplotter, I am just fine with those as we A) don't have a great need for radar and B) use chartplotting on our tablets in the cockpit.

Was your comment about water from the chainplates/stanchions based on the picture of the starboard settee where the bulkhead meets the hull? I did notice that, too, but wasn't sure what it was at the time.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Yes on the photo of the settee. That looks like water damage to me. But might not be a big deal.

 

[Tom J]

Hello All,

We are currently looking to move from a C30 to the C310 and are looking at a 2000 single owner boat. What are some common issues I should be keeping an eye out for in the 310? We like many of the features of the 310 and I (6'2") am looking forward to a little more room at night while not having to manage too big of a boat.

On a side note, does anyone have a trailer for their 310?

Thanks for any input!

Your height at 6' 2" won't be an issue in the queen sized v-berth, but the overhead height in the main cabin is closer to 6'. My neighbor"s C320 has an overhead height closer to 6' 4". Something to think about.

 

[iSailor]

Hello All,

We are currently looking to move from a C30 to the C310 and are looking at a 2000 single owner boat. What are some common issues I should be keeping an eye out for in the 310? We like many of the features of the 310 and I (6'2") am looking forward to a little more room at night while not having to manage too big of a boat.

On a side note, does anyone have a trailer for their 310?

Thanks for any input!

Are the coolant and raw water hoses original? If so, they might start to develop small cracks and need replacement. I did these hoses (small leaks started showing up) and fuel pump (not working) replacement this year for my 2001 310.

 

[Dreaming]

On the compression post, some of the first models had a post that was too short. If this is the case, Catalina will send you an extension (about 1/4 of an inch) that you can install without too much work.

I just bought a 2000 C-310 and it had this problem. Definitely check to see if the forward cabin door will close and like Jesse said, check the bulkhead for bowing... or I guess its called deflection.

I called Gerry Douglas at Catalina in Florida and he didn't seem to be aware of this problem. He suggested shimming it but neither he, nor the secretary in So. California ever suggested that this was a known issue or that Catalina would send me a shim.

I'm not looking forward to this repair as I haven't found a good guide on how to do it and Im not gonna pay a boat yard to do it. A jack and a 2x4 plus the shim should suffice. I'm just not sure how to handle the rigging during the lifting process.

BUT all that said, my girlfriend and I love the boat. I love the engine accessibility and she sails wonderfully.

 

[jhinton]

I really appreciate all the replies and tips from everyone, thank you! We have decided that we like the 310 and now are trying to narrow down to the specific one.

I am glad to hear that the V-Berth won't be an issue. I don't really mind having to duck a little bit in the main cabin because we don't like to spend much time in there anyway, but the bed is the most important.

We have looked at a couple of 310s and haven't noticed any deflection in the cabin bulkheads. Also, most of the engine hoses seem to be original. Again, I appreciate the tips.

Another question: What are the main differences between the different model years? I haven't really been able to notice much difference except the forward cabin doors and the reefer doors... Anything major? Minor?

There is a 2004 310 for sale in Ft. Lauderdale, FL with a generator in the port cockpit locker... Can that really be useable while not going deaf in the cabin??

 

[Deleted member 117556]

Regarding the short compression post and deflection in the bulkhead, I have noticed this issue with mine which is hull #1 that I bought from the original owner about 9 mos ago. My cabin door does not close properly but otherwise I see no other problems. The door does close when I need it to close which is not often. So I am really considering just leaving it as-is because it was OK for the previous owner for 14 years and if it ain't broke why fix it? Anyway, that's my theory on this because the boat sails very well and there are no other "symptoms"...

As for differences, I think that I have the only C 310 with an 18hp Yanmar diesel engine so all the engine discussions on the 310 list does not relate to mine. Having that engine is mostly good though.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Regarding the short compression post and deflection in the bulkhead, I have noticed this issue with mine which is hull #1 that I bought from the original owner about 9 mos ago. My cabin door does not close properly but otherwise I see no other problems. The door does close when I need it to close which is not often. So I am really considering just leaving it as-is because it was OK for the previous owner for 14 years and if it ain't broke why fix it? Anyway, that's my theory on this because the boat sails very well and there are no other "symptoms"...

As for differences, I think that I have the only C 310 with an 18hp Yanmar diesel engine so all the engine discussions on the 310 list does not relate to mine. Having that engine is mostly good though.

You should fix the compression post issue if you have it. What can happen is that will cause the deck to flex under the mast more and more as you tune your rigging. This could result in wet core below the mast which can be very dangerous and result in a dismasting.

This is a problem that will progress with time until you get to the point that it is a major problem. So the "if it ain't broke why fix it" mindset is not a good one to have with this problem. Or most any aspect of boats. Maintaining a high value of your boat is all about preventative maintenance. Putting off rebidding your deck hardware, inspecting and changing your rigging, etc. can result in catastrophic failures or very costly repairs.

The fix didn't seem too difficult from the accounts I read of others you fixed it.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

 

[Deleted member 117556]

Jesse,
Actually, the idea to not fix it came from discussion with a professional Catalina rigger who works out of the marina where I am based. I will
check with him again but he had no concerns after looking at it.
Thanks.
Bob

 

[Alansails]

We have owned our Catalina 310 for almost one year now. We brought her from a relatively flat water lake to Lake Erie. In the time we have owned/sailed her including one 250 mile trip We are VERY IMPRESSED[B] With how she sails and the overall comfort. We moved from a Catalina 25. The only issues we have had, besides updates and fixing a few minor things are when we had our survey done, the surveyor found the cutlass bearing needed replaced on the shaft and that was done by the previous owner prior to us taking possession, An engine hose needed replaced and the shower hose needed replaced. The engine only had 130 hrs on it for a 11 year old boat. when we brought her to Lake Erie we ended up having the fuel polished, and later on a fuel pump replaced. Our door to the Forward berth does not close properly either, but we do not see this as a dire issue. We are glad to have made the jump and would not hesitate again, also our cockpit when at the dock is THE PLACE for all dockmates to gather for Sundowners!

 

[Seatime310]

My door also has a closing problem, and the port chain plate continually flexes then leaks. It has done this on and off for years, I recaulked multiple times to no avail now I have to replace a section of the bulk head. I believe the problem may be a compression post one. Any comments

 

[gpd955]

My door also has a closing problem, and the port chain plate continually flexes then leaks. It has done this on and off for years, I recaulked multiple times to no avail now I have to replace a section of the bulk head. I believe the problem may be a compression post one. Any comments

When you say caulk, do you mean just caulking around the plate or did you rebed it?

 

[Seatime310]

No I mean rebed. I took out the the entire plate cut out all old and rebed with 5200.

 

[Witzend]

5200 boo, use butyl tape

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

My door also has a closing problem, and the port chain plate continually flexes then leaks. It has done this on and off for years, I recaulked multiple times to no avail now I have to replace a section of the bulk head. I believe the problem may be a compression post one. Any comments

You used 5200 on your chain plates? Ouch. How do you get it apart to rebed?

My chain plates were leaking when I purchased the boat. I talked to Maine Sail about how to handle this repair. There is a way to do it with butyl tape but it involves modifying the caps and probably the some minor portions of the chain plates. So I just cleaned up all of the old sealant and resealed with BoatLife Life-Caulk polysulfide sealant.

It's been 3 years since I rebed and no leaks.

Did you remove all of the old sealant? Did you prep with a primer or some other chemical cleaning process? If you were having that much water issues that the bulkhead is rotten I would want to remove the chain plate completely for inspection.

I plan to remove the chain plates sometime before we cross to the Bahamas and either have them inspected by a machinist or have new ones made. Probably leaning towards new ones that might be modified to be stronger and allow for butyl tape.

Jesse