Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences - Archive-Advice C42-NewBoats-Catalina-Charter - Archive - Catalina 42 Discussion Forum - Message Board

0 Kudo

Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences

Author	Comment
dejavu	Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences		Lead	[-]
Posts: 10 04/25/05 18:13:13	Tags : None Hi folks. I have a Cat 36 but am dreaming of a 42 for it's liveability and, well, because it's gorgeous. I handle my 36 just fine. No problems docking or sailing, even singlehanded (I just take things slowly and leave myself lots of room...autopilot helps, too). However, when I board a 42 and stand at the wheel, it just seems SOOO BIG. Maybe it's the width of the stern throwing me off, because I know it's only 6 feet longer. Can any of you who have traded up to a 42 from a 36 please list the biggest differences you experienced and whether they were easily overcome. I'm a safety-minded sailor and don't want to get in over my head, but boy do I love that forward cabin!! Also, should I consider a bow thruster or furling main? Thanks, Mike Deja Vu
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
sjball	36 CAT to 42 CAT	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 66 04/25/05 20:03:46	I moved up from a 1985 36' to a 1997 42' Catalina two years ago. I have found it is twice the boat. I sail in Lake Michigan out of Holland. I single handle the boat many times during the season. The size initially is a little intimidating at first. However, a 42 is basically a big 36. It is setup and rigged about the same. The biggest difference is in manueverability due to the significant weight difference. You need to maintain speed to be able to manuever, but you can't come in too fast. The momentum is much greater in a larger boat and I have found you need to coast the boat more. With a little practice you will adjust to handling the boat just like you did on the 36. Steve Ball Hull 559 Holland Mich
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
roderkt	36 to a 42	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 16 04/26/05 03:28:34	I moved up from a '99 36 to a '04 42. The trade up is great. You will love the added room. I also single hand quite a bit and with the auto pilot and a little pre planning, things work out just fine. I have to echo the previous post, it is jst a bigger 36. The handling is just about the same wxcept for the weight. Plan ahead for those docking moves and sit back and enjoy the boat, it is fantanstic!
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
cwhitting	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 36 04/26/05 05:03:50	Hi Mike: I'll be able to let you know in a week or 2. I just got a 42, moving up from an Irwin 34. I do alot of single / short handed and my only real concern is docking so I tried to plan for it by getting a bow thruster. It fits very well under my foward bunk with plenty room left over. I'll try to remember to send another reply after I get some time to play around when I splash. Later, Codge Pog Mo Thon - # 919, Fin Keel, 3 cabin centerline Locust Valley, NY
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
yorkrose	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 280 04/26/05 09:35:02	Mike, Never had a C36, but we have gone from a C25 to a C320 to a C400 to a C42. The latter transition was a non-event for boat handling, but the first two were similar. The larger boat feels long and heavy, but it is much more stable. It goes exactly where you direct it, and it is much less subject to wind gusts or other disturbances. Handling quickly becomes second nature with a little practice. One tight-quarters handling trick I have learned over the years is to steer the boat so that the mast goes where you want it. If you focus too much on the bow you will tend to undershoot most turns. Of course you need to avoid hitting anything with the bow, but you can usually swing around quickly as necessary. If the entire boat, as represented by the mast and keel, is in the wrong place it is hard to make the maneuvering work even if the bow seems to be in the right place. The longer the boat the more important this becomes. Regards, Gene Fuller Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
pdrimmer	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 163 04/26/05 12:21:22	I went from a C30 to the C42 MKII. Other than the boat is heavier (24,000) and there is much more momentum, there is no difference. We do not have a furling main, don't think I need one. I would consider a bow thruster. You will love the motion of the 42. We cruise for a month in the summer and never stay at a marina. Good luck, it is a lot of fun.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Unregistered(d)	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 0 04/26/05 18:16:18	You will find a lot of opinions on the furling main. I have it, and so far I like it. If you a die hard sailor, or a racer, you probably won't. If you are a cruiser, and that last half a knot isn't important, you will probably appreciate the convenience. I'm still learning to maneuver the C42 (moved up from a C30). I can tell you that it handles well. A bow thruster might be nice, but it is a lot of money. Find a good instructor and get help first. You would be amazed what a good burst of throttle will do with the rudder hard over. Ken Fischer 2005 C42 #906 "Solaria", 3 Cabin, Fin Keel, Mast Furling Main, 155% Genoa
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
dickbutler	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 55 04/27/05 08:25:38 Moderator	Hi Mike, We bought a 36 new in 1988 and have loved it. Last year we stepped up to a C42 Mark II Centerline #837 Escapade and REALLY love it. The only difference I find in handling is, as previously mentioned, the weight adds momentum and short handed docking is a challenge, especially in windy conditions. While we are getting used to it we set up a "Boat Catcher" in the slip - that takes a lot of pressure off! Incidentally, if you decide to step up you'll probably be pleasantly surprised at the resale value of your 36. Ours sold in 5 days for just about what we paid for it in 1988! Good Luck. Dick
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Izablue2	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 123 04/27/05 13:14:44	Mike, I went up from a Cat 30 to a 42. Yeah, at first I thought" this is a BAB(big ass boat)". and... it was a little imtimidating at first. But with sailing it more and more, taking baby steps, and taking it easy, if seems just as comfortable as sailing my Cat 30.... only better. You'll love it!!!! Mark "Izablue" #835/3
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
dejavu	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 10 04/30/05 01:10:36	Thank you all for your comments. They seemed pretty much the same impressions, ie with a little practice, no problem. But geez, that boat has a big behind!! Thanks again, Mike
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
cathyinct	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 310 04/30/05 16:37:20	The one thing that botherss me in trading up from a smaller boat to the C42 is the amount of freeboard and how that makes it difficult to get up and or down to a dock from below or above. I am a rather tall woman with long legs ---- and we sport two younng kids so I cannot risk falling on to a dock --- we are on a mooring so I don't typically get on and off all the time. So for me, the trickiest thing is getting on the dock quick to set the lines. But then it seems that when you have a larger boat, the dock boys/girls do assist you more. Cathy
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
dejavu	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 10 04/30/05 22:22:47	Cathy, you're right. I was once in love with the interior accomodations of the Hunter 45 until I considered the "leap of death" to the dock. The freeboard on center cockpit boats is way worse than the 42.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
bob776	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 121 09/30/05 05:25:13	This past April we "upgraded" from a 36 to a 42. It's intimidated for about 30 minutes. The 42 LOVES wind. On our maiden two week cruise here in SW Florida we had lousy, wet weather with 25 to 30 knots of wind for several days. It's great close reaching at 9.5 kts. Reefed at 25 kts and didn't loose any boat speed. First thing we did was change to a Flex O Fold prop. Had one on the 36 and they're great. The boat even backs straight. We loved out 36, but you won't regret upgrading. Fair winds Chase The Clouds
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Unregistered(d)	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 0 10/03/05 22:44:13	For that high freeboard, get a "FenderStep". Not available at west marine, so it isn't all that common. They are very stable and work great! FenderStep Lots of places in the US for mail order. Ken Fischer 2005 C42 #906 "Solaria", 3 Cabin Pullman, Fin Keel, Mast Furling Main, 155% Genoa
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
rbetzing	Re: Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 62 10/20/05 16:52:55	I just ordered one - Thanks for the tip Ken Ron Betzing 2000 C42/2 cabin #708
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
royalserf	Cat 36 vs Cat 42	#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 46 10/21/05 15:50:01	I've owned Royal Serf for one season and have sailed her extensively on the Chesapeake Bay. I just had the pleasure of delivering (with the owner) a Catalina 36 to Florida from Norfolk,VA. The Catalina 36 sails and handles wonderfully and is a very capable vessel. We hit 6-8 foot rolling waves in St. Andrew's Sound, GA!! We got bounced around alot but did fine. The Cat 42 has more mass and you will not feel the waves or sea conditions like a Cat 36. In short or nasty chop conditions the 42 just plows through while the 36 is a little more bouncy due to the lightness (vs the 42). As for a bow thruster, I decided against one after talking to the dealer and owning the boat 3 months. He gave me some pointers. When entering a marina I stop outside the fairway, put Royal Serf in reverse and just drive her in backwards. Never had a problem getting in or out of the slip. The boat seems to go pretty good in reverse. I would definitely get main mast roller furling! That one item alone (with the autopilot) allows me to virtually single-hand the boat. The size of lines (sheets) is larger on the 42 than on the 36. I can handle everything from the cockpit with bare hands and no winch assist. The 36 lines were smaller and we constantly had to use winches to furl/unfurl and control the mainsail. Bigger is easier I think. While on a cruise with 14 other boats late June we were hit with by a Chesapeake Bay squall. I held Royal Serf off the wind on a broad reach, she heeled another 5 degrees and just TOOK OFF! My girlfriend (a novice at the time) just sat under the dodger out of the rain and enjoyed the speed. She later heard on the docks stories from the other boats about dumping wind, reefing sails, starting the "iron Jenny", you get the idea. She had no idea we were even in a squall!!! Although 6 feet longer than the 36, the weight difference and hull configuration with the broad stern make the 42 a very sturdy and comfortable boat to sail. I do not think you will be disappointed at all with the 42!!!
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Add Reply

Yuku free message boards

Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences

Cat 36 to a Cat 42 - Differences

Quick Reply