We're former tartan 31 owners, but are between boats now. We are looking for easy-to-sail, not-too-"tippy," comfortable cruising that is not a total sow in the water. We're intrigued by the 350. We'd appreciate any feedback we can get. Thanks.
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Easy Answer: Yes
Only you know for sure. We love our C350. Moved up from a C27 4 years ago and don't regret it. Check out this thread: http://www.catalina350.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12 and then a number of the others in the forums at the site below. Don't be unduly disuaded by the discussions of issues owners have with their boats. ALL BOATS HAVE ISSUES. The C350 is a very popular Catalina model that turns many heads. For one thing, you won't find a roomier 35 foot sailboat on the water. She sails well, is very stable, and quite comfortable. Good Luck! Check back in with us. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Only you know for sure. We love our C350. Moved up from a C27 4 years ago and don't regret it. Check out this thread: http://www.catalina350.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12 and then a number of the others in the forums at the site below. Don't be unduly disuaded by the discussions of issues owners have with their boats. ALL BOATS HAVE ISSUES. The C350 is a very popular Catalina model that turns many heads. For one thing, you won't find a roomier 35 foot sailboat on the water. She sails well, is very stable, and quite comfortable. Good Luck! Check back in with us. Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Trade offs
The 350 is a wide boat. Given the width you gain a lot of space. If you have friends join you, the cockpit and companion way/stairs couldn't be designed much better. I spoke with a guy who had a 380 and now has a 350 which he likes much more and he single hands the boat. For hanging and cruising its hard to beat. If you race, not the best boat. Its not real happy with winds under 10mph, give it 15mph and you'll see a very happy boat. It doesn't like motoring into a heavy chop due to its wide beam, I find I need to motor sail with just the jib, opposed to directly motoring into a heavy chop, but it will scream and be well balanced. The 38 or the 36 would most likely sail better, but like always your dealing with trade offs. The 350 is very easy to move around in, cruise in, entertain in, even for four people to cruise for a week of two in. If cruising its a great boat, if you have a tendency to like to push the edge when sailing mabey not the best choice.
The 350 is a wide boat. Given the width you gain a lot of space. If you have friends join you, the cockpit and companion way/stairs couldn't be designed much better. I spoke with a guy who had a 380 and now has a 350 which he likes much more and he single hands the boat. For hanging and cruising its hard to beat. If you race, not the best boat. Its not real happy with winds under 10mph, give it 15mph and you'll see a very happy boat. It doesn't like motoring into a heavy chop due to its wide beam, I find I need to motor sail with just the jib, opposed to directly motoring into a heavy chop, but it will scream and be well balanced. The 38 or the 36 would most likely sail better, but like always your dealing with trade offs. The 350 is very easy to move around in, cruise in, entertain in, even for four people to cruise for a week of two in. If cruising its a great boat, if you have a tendency to like to push the edge when sailing mabey not the best choice.
Sure, we did ...
We also traded up from a CS 27 to the Cat 350 this year. We love it, and for a family of 5 with the dog it is great! It sails well, and takes the heavy weather safely and with ease (full sails in 25-30knots of wind with >8 knots on the GPS)Yes in very light winds you bob, but so do most boats without a spinaker. We do not regret the decision at all. Ralph
We also traded up from a CS 27 to the Cat 350 this year. We love it, and for a family of 5 with the dog it is great! It sails well, and takes the heavy weather safely and with ease (full sails in 25-30knots of wind with >8 knots on the GPS)Yes in very light winds you bob, but so do most boats without a spinaker. We do not regret the decision at all. Ralph
More Qs
Thanks for all the responses. More questions, mostly about features/add-ons. 1) Main: I have bad shoulders (2 reconstructs), but am completely unimpressed with in-mast furling, so would tend toward power winch for main, with a stack-pack or Dutchman system and single-line reefing. Comments? 2) We sail on Champlain (very deep) and may eventually head for the islands. Thoughts on performance and stability re. 6-8 fin vs winged keel? (Our Tartan drew 6 feet.) 3) Props: we used a 3-blade Campbell Sailor on the Tartan and loved it. How's catalina's standard-issue 3-blade vs. the Campbell or a 3-blade feathering prop? Thanks.
Thanks for all the responses. More questions, mostly about features/add-ons. 1) Main: I have bad shoulders (2 reconstructs), but am completely unimpressed with in-mast furling, so would tend toward power winch for main, with a stack-pack or Dutchman system and single-line reefing. Comments? 2) We sail on Champlain (very deep) and may eventually head for the islands. Thoughts on performance and stability re. 6-8 fin vs winged keel? (Our Tartan drew 6 feet.) 3) Props: we used a 3-blade Campbell Sailor on the Tartan and loved it. How's catalina's standard-issue 3-blade vs. the Campbell or a 3-blade feathering prop? Thanks.
Some A's
Hi Chris - we have the traditional, full batten main which came standard with the dutchman system. Works for us. I thought about the powered winch option, but figured I had a few more years in me. Seems like more and more boats are offering the in-mast furling, so I suspect that the modern versions may be more reliable / usable than previous generations. The new C309 comes with the furling standard - not sure if a traditional main is available? With bad shoulders, you might reconsider the furling option. We also have the single line reefing, standard. Catalina does a real nice job of running all the sail controls back to the cockpit, and includes substantial (read beefy) hardware and winches for handling the running rigging. Here in Puget Sound, we have very little "thin water" so many/most boats go with the fin keel - I'm very happy with the performance. Obviously I can't compare it to the wing keel because I've never been on one. Our C350 came standard with a two bladed prop. Not long after, Catalina switched to a three bladed prop and a number of owners (not all) had trouble with cavitation. Catalina did some investigation and experimentation and came up with a different three blade prop (or one with different specs) that eliminated the problem some were experiencing. I have no direct experience with any of the folding or feathering props, although some of the other owners have installed them. Check with the association web forum for some additional answers to your questions. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Hi Chris - we have the traditional, full batten main which came standard with the dutchman system. Works for us. I thought about the powered winch option, but figured I had a few more years in me. Seems like more and more boats are offering the in-mast furling, so I suspect that the modern versions may be more reliable / usable than previous generations. The new C309 comes with the furling standard - not sure if a traditional main is available? With bad shoulders, you might reconsider the furling option. We also have the single line reefing, standard. Catalina does a real nice job of running all the sail controls back to the cockpit, and includes substantial (read beefy) hardware and winches for handling the running rigging. Here in Puget Sound, we have very little "thin water" so many/most boats go with the fin keel - I'm very happy with the performance. Obviously I can't compare it to the wing keel because I've never been on one. Our C350 came standard with a two bladed prop. Not long after, Catalina switched to a three bladed prop and a number of owners (not all) had trouble with cavitation. Catalina did some investigation and experimentation and came up with a different three blade prop (or one with different specs) that eliminated the problem some were experiencing. I have no direct experience with any of the folding or feathering props, although some of the other owners have installed them. Check with the association web forum for some additional answers to your questions. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Additional comments
We do have the in-mast furling and the wing keel. We love both. Lake Huron is fairly deep but we have not noticed any concerns with pointing ability or excessive heel because of the keel. I have yet to have any wind to put the rail in the water
Eventually we plan on sailing south so the wing keel was preferred. As far as the in mast furling goes, my wife usually furls the sails and she typically just uses the hi-speed winch instead of using her back when the wind is up. Otherwise furling the main is as easy as furling the jib. The 3 blade prop has been performing well for us. Prop walk is acceptable and it powers our boat nicely. 2500 RPMs was approx. 6-7 knots yesterday. Ralph
We do have the in-mast furling and the wing keel. We love both. Lake Huron is fairly deep but we have not noticed any concerns with pointing ability or excessive heel because of the keel. I have yet to have any wind to put the rail in the water
Eventually we plan on sailing south so the wing keel was preferred. As far as the in mast furling goes, my wife usually furls the sails and she typically just uses the hi-speed winch instead of using her back when the wind is up. Otherwise furling the main is as easy as furling the jib. The 3 blade prop has been performing well for us. Prop walk is acceptable and it powers our boat nicely. 2500 RPMs was approx. 6-7 knots yesterday. RalphONE MORE THOUGHT
There is a 350 on our (floating)dock. It is real nice, roomy , including headroom more than my 36. One thing I notice is you have a long step down to the dock (or up to the boat). You may need stairs for shorter legged people or less athletic folks.
There is a 350 on our (floating)dock. It is real nice, roomy , including headroom more than my 36. One thing I notice is you have a long step down to the dock (or up to the boat). You may need stairs for shorter legged people or less athletic folks.
Okay: we're off to the boat shows. Thanks for th
First: thanks to all of you who took the time to post some responses to my inquiries. We're headed to the Newport Show in a few weeks to start kicking tires. Meanwhile, we're not foregoing attractive "used" boats (e.g., there looks to be a pretty clean 1995 Freedom 35 for sale in VT that we may go take a look at). As for in-mast furling, the reviews I've read (most reliably in Practical Sailor) suggest that a battened main performs better than non- on the 350. So, if we went to a similar system, I'd be inclined to look at in-boom furling (which, I noted, no-one made a comment about), or just do a standard rig, with a Dutchman or similar flaking system, and a power self-tailing winch. Will keep y'all posted if we take the plung with the 350. Thanks, again. Chris
First: thanks to all of you who took the time to post some responses to my inquiries. We're headed to the Newport Show in a few weeks to start kicking tires. Meanwhile, we're not foregoing attractive "used" boats (e.g., there looks to be a pretty clean 1995 Freedom 35 for sale in VT that we may go take a look at). As for in-mast furling, the reviews I've read (most reliably in Practical Sailor) suggest that a battened main performs better than non- on the 350. So, if we went to a similar system, I'd be inclined to look at in-boom furling (which, I noted, no-one made a comment about), or just do a standard rig, with a Dutchman or similar flaking system, and a power self-tailing winch. Will keep y'all posted if we take the plung with the 350. Thanks, again. Chris
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