Facts picked up during cockpit talk

[davidpm]

Was helping a fellow drink some wine on his two year old Catalina 309. Claims he bought it from a fellow who bought the 309 then decided it was too small for his large family so bought a Catalina 35 (Pretty sure that was the model) for the size.

Now here is the part I'm asking about. Claims the 309 sailed faster than the 35'. Something about sail area to displacement and hull width yada yada.

Does this sound right?

[Giulietta]

I don't see why not....

I can sail circles around Cam's boat...when and if he sails again....an he is 10 feet longer...

and a 49er can sails circles around me..

Now..there is a certain Catalina 400 here, that ANY BOAT in the World can sail around it..well not really..the marina dock wouldn't allow it...

[camaraderie]

He can sail circles around me in 10 knots...he'd be cryin' "Mommy" when I decide to put in my first reef!

[davidpm]

OK Seriously now guys. Is there any merit to this guys claim?
I thought for the same basic style boat, fin keel, full keel, etc. the longer boats were faster. Not so?

[Giulietta]

David,

hull speed difference between the 2 is only 0.6 knots.

The 309 can with a better keel and larger sail plan (proportionally) sail faster...

Yes it's possible

[midlifesailor]

I read lots of comments about the C320 (which I think is similar in design to the 309) being faster than a C34 or even C36 but they don't have the PHRF ratings to back up the talk. I haven't checked the ratings for a 350.

If a C320 actually will out sail a C34/36, I expect there will be a lot of bitching with the advantageous ratings they are given.

[eMKay]

PHRF:

Catalina 309 = 165
Catalina 350 = 147

So, other factors being equal, no, it doesn't sound right.

[tommays]

In My PHRF racing one thing i have learned is the ratings dont make sense many times



We get people here that sail badly over a long peroid of time and after enough complaints get there rating changed and end up with the highest rated boat of its type in the USA like a J105 with a 105 compared to the 81 it should have

The funny part is the two J105's both sail out the same harbor in the same races


I dont see a base 309 (which is a boat i like)being all that speedy with the standard roller furling main and 135 compared to a 350 that might have a normal main and roller jib

[soulfinger]

It sounds unlikely. The 350, while big and fat, has proven to be surprisingly fast. I think I read that Catalina was shocked with how fast it was. It would say that rigging-wise, they should be similiar, so speed will likely come down to waterline lenght. Now fin keel, traditionaly mainsail 309 vs. wing keel roller furling main 350 would be a different story.

The 309 is a great boat though, and I'd encourage anyone interested in something that size to consider it. It's amazing how roomy and well set-up it is, both inside and out. Just a pretty boat. We would have considered it, but I'm really tall, and we wouldn't have been able to fit a high-enough bimini under the boom.

[davidpm]

Thanks everyone. I've learned to distrust cockpit wine discussions about other peoples boats.
Probably just the guy "selling" his smaller boat to an eager buyer.