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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Catalina 355

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/24/2011 : 18:45:19

Someone mentioned in another thread they saw the new C355 I believe at the Annapois Boat Show. Saturday I was cutting through the marine yard in my marina and a new 355 wing keel had apparently been delivered on Thursday or Friday and was in the process of being rigged and readied for the water.

No one was around so I couldn't take a peek inside but it's a really nice looking boat from the outside!

If it's not already sold I may see if the local dealer will let me take a look and take some pictures which I will post.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 19:29:51

Gary,
I had a chance to go aboard in Annapolis. She's certainly bigger than the 25, but you know, she really isn't that much better than my '84 25'. Those ten extra feet just seemed to get lost somewhere. I was disappointed - I really expected to feel compelled to move up, and I didn't.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3448 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 20:51:46

Jim - Thanks for the unfavorable report !! At least for the next 5 minutes you removed the temptation !

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 22:09:10

I looked at one in the Norwalk, CT show (probably on its way from Newport to Annapolis)... To me, a C-30 feels about twice as big as a C-25, sailing and down below, and the C-355 is about half again the C-30 (although I haven't sailed the C-355). The aft berth area, galley, main salon in general, weather-decks, and cockpit are just at a another level of spaciousness, if that's what you want.

Sorry... although for some purposes, bigger is not necessarily better. I have no interest in something bigger than what I have now. (Sleeps 2, parties 10.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/24/2011 22:13:56

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5897 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 05:10:01

Ideal size depends on how you use the boat. If you spend weekends on it, then you'll need less space. If you live aboard for extended periods, you'll want more space, because you'll need room to store more than a weekend's worth of shirts, shorts, socks, underwear and food, as well as fuel and water. If you sail long distances and in big waters, a bigger boat will have a more comfortable motion. If your sailing is mostly local, a smaller boat is in order. Bigger boats can be handled shorthanded, but it's more difficult to handle them. It's harder to tack or gybe a big boat, and to raise and lower and furl big, heavy sails. It's no fun to raise a big mainsail or jib by yourself on a day when the temperature is in the 90s. For me, for example, my C&C 35' Landfall is a good compromise. It's designed for long distance sailing and big seas, and long term living aboard, but it's small enough to be single-handed.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2011 : 04:12:27

One observation:-- recent Catalina designs, including the 355, when reviewed by the sailing press, have all been hailed as being well thought out for "cruising" and been described as great light wind boats, however equally all reviews have commented how they need to be reefed so early when the wind picks up and requires much more attention to sail trim in moderate sailing conditions. As I brought my boat in for winter storage I was talking with a C350 owner, who volunteered that he loved his boat, had considered the C375 but after sailing one thought his boat was far more "stable". Could be just his familiarity with his boat vs a different/new design, but, it tends to confirm the reviews. If I were looking to upgrade, even if I had the bucks, I think I would be looking at the previous generation of Catalina models all of which have a much larger feel than our 25's.

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ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2011 : 11:36:16

The 355 and 375 went for a lower profile than the 350. They also seemed to have used some different woodwork. Sailed a 350 through Windpath of Cape Cod for a summer and found it to be a fantastic boat. Windpath of cape cod is a great way of getting into a big boat without being a millionaire by the way. The 350 could handle Buzzards Bay and the outer waters like a champ. It also felt like being in a real sweet little cabin get away every time I stepped aboard. It's big on the inside but you don't feel like your going to get killed down bellow decks if you should get slammed by a wave or something.

These are nice boats for sure. The one I sailed is listed on Yacht world. Owner, Mark Barrett is looking to update his stock and needs to get rid of old stock. It is the Emily a 2004 Catalina 350.

Vern Wright

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2011 : 11:59:40

If I were to move up, it would be because we were planning to live aboard. The C-42 a marina neighbor brought in for service seemed like it could serve that purpose. I had a tour.

I've also looked online at many reasonably priced C-36 models, and they include considerable improvements over my current boat for comfortable living.

And in terms of price, I think my C-25, which is paid-off, is just about right!

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2011 : 12:42:31

A guy bought a brand new J-111 in our marina, it looks like a sweeeeet ride.

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2011 : 21:52:51

check out you tube there a Selden masst stablilty test being done on the C355

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 04:25:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 Ideal size depends on how you use the boat. If you spend weekends on it, then you'll need less space. If you live aboard for extended periods, you'll want more space, because you'll need room to store more than a weekend's worth of shirts, shorts, socks, underwear and food, as well as fuel and water. If you sail long distances and in big waters, a bigger boat will have a more comfortable motion. If your sailing is mostly local, a smaller boat is in order. Bigger boats can be handled shorthanded, but it's more difficult to handle them. It's harder to tack or gybe a big boat, and to raise and lower and furl big, heavy sails. It's no fun to raise a big mainsail or jib by yourself on a day when the temperature is in the 90s. For me, for example, my C&C 35' Landfall is a good compromise. It's designed for long distance sailing and big seas, and long term living aboard, but it's small enough to be single-handed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That Steve, was the most succinct bit of sage advice ever written! Nicely done!

sten

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 04:31:42

I've been watching this and the 'looking for a new boat' thread with great interest.
We enjoy sailing the C25, but the admiral needs more head room. We use the pop top fervishly, but spend the weekend on her, so look to move to a 30. I think I will rule out the First 285 based on comments here. The wife LOVED the '94 Hunter 30, but am very interested in sailing characteristics. Thanks all for the input and advice: keep the sailing reports coming. I do know a First 265 is FAST, as it passed me like it was motoring (it wasn't) But I hesitate to go with the wide open interior.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 06:54:45

The only First I've been on (years ago) had some kind of vinyl glued to the inside of the cabin--no fiberglass overhead liner (for racing weight I presume). Then I read somebody's comments about the vinyl peeling off in their Beneteau... (Time for new wallpaper.)

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 07:16:58

"...bought a brand new J-111..."
I'd love to have the funds for one of those bolstering my retirement account!

Edited by - on

jimhart
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 10:24:11

I race on a Beneteau First 29.5.
It's fast.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/28/2011 : 10:49:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 "...bought a brand new J-111..."
I'd love to have the funds for one of those bolstering my retirement account!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

He had had a Beneteau First 36.7 which seemed like it was real fast when he'd pass me on the lake. We had an unusual hard freeze in Dallas, I guess it broke one of his through hulls and the 36.7 sank to the gunwhales. (Three boats sank in our marina, if they'd only run one of those West marine heaters)Insurance totaled it out and now the guy has the J-111. What's funny to me is that he never has raced either with us.

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