Seeking Catalina 310 Feedback

[philippe-nw]

I'm looking for a first boat and I'm considering a Catalina 310. I'd be real interested in honest feedback from owners or others who have spent a lot of time on 310s. What you really like, don't like, what tweaks or changes you have done. Any other comments you may make. I did look at the reviews that are posted, hopefully I can get some updated info.I'm also interested in perspecitves on Wing Keel vs. Fin Keel. I will put my boat on the Puget Sound where I really don't need a shallow draft. However - most of the 310s on the market are Wing Keel (none on the market around here) and so I'm love to know how much of a difference it makes).I've only been on a 310 once, with literally 0kt of wind so all we did is motor. So I'll have to try to make arrangments to get out again with wind.Also - if anyone has the PHRF for the wing and fin keel, that would be great (it would help with a quantitative comparison). I only found it for the fin keel.Thanks in advance for your honest feedback. (And if you are in the NW and thinking of selling yours, let me know

 

[Jon W.]

C310 Opinion

I don't want to go over my opinions on this board yet again, But If you'd like to discuss on the phone or in person (on the boat?), post your Email address, and I will contact you with my phone number. I would post my Email address, but I have aggessive spamblocking, and you would not get through.

 

[philippe-nw]

response to Jon

Jon,my email is p_lindheimer@yahoo.comI'd love to talk or go out and get a first hand feel.philippe

 

[Tim McCarty]

We just finished our first season

and I have to say that I am totally satisfied with our 310 (Hull#312). My wife and I have no children,so this boat fits us perfectly for weekend trips and day sails. Things that I like: the furling mast, the 3 cylinder engine, the 3 blade prop, the electronics package (Raymarine wind, speed, depth, autopilot, Garmin 172C GPSMAP...all in Navpods at the pedestal), the stereo (two speakers in the cabin, two in navpods under the stern rail seats), and of course the forward stateroom with innerspring mattress. Not much I don't like on this boat...with the wide beam and 3 blade prop, it's a bit slow in light winds, but past about 7 knots, it sails well. All in all, I'm very happy with our purchase. Go to owner reviews on this website for more into. Good luck!

 

[Big Windy]

C310

How tall are you...I opted for a C320 over the C310 due to more headroom. I have the wing keel. The fin is supposed to point higher, doubt it makes much difference unless you are a racer.

 

[Tim McCarty]

We sail on the Great Lakes, and...

need the wing keel. The depths in Lake Erie range anywhere from 2 feet to about 30 foot in our area. I would guess, you being in Washington, that you would opt for the fin keel. Also, I stand 6'2" tall, and haven't had any issues with headroom in the cabin.

 

[philippe-nw]

fin keel vs. wing

I would prefer a fin keel but was hoping to get a feel for how much of a difference it would make and what other considerations it might have. Since I'm looking for a used one, there aren't many around here and most on the market are wing keels. I did come across one not too far away (within reasonably priced trucking distance) that is a wing keel at fair price and in quite good shape. This is one of my reasons to try and get some feedback of the tradeoffs from someone who may have had experience on both.

 

[John Picot]

310 Wing Keel

I have hull #174 with a wing. I have been very happy witht he wing. Unless you are a hard core racer, the wing will be just fine. You do lose a little to windward but not enough to worry about. On most coasts, except the left, a wing is better because of the draft problems.

 

[roger marshutz]

310

We have had the boat for about 4 years and are delighted with it. It is great for two. One reason we bought was the great front berth...great mattress for 31 foot boat. A great boat for a 3 day week-end to Catalina. As with all boats there have been a few mechanical glitches with the latest being the bracket holding the fuel filter breaking but they gave us a new one. I do wish the water tank was bigger. I could install additional 20 tank under the bed. But we get buy. Our big D batteries went on labor day week-end. I had 4 golf batteries installed. Good luck.

 

[Ed]

Wait for the 309

There is nothing posted about it, but Catalina is coming out with the C309 in November. If you are buying new, you may want to wait and see, or get the sales rep to get the info on it.