Last Boat

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
Unregistered(d)	Last Boat		Lead	[-]
Posts: 0 05/01/06 08:19:43	Tags : None I hope you dont mind my posting on your site.. I have been reading your posts and I have been looking with my broker at C42s for a while now. To date the largest boat I have sailed single handed was an Oday 31 so the size of the C42 is somewhat intimidating but not undaunting. Currently own a C27 and sail out of Annapolis. I was wondering what other C42s owners last boat was before the C42 and what I might expect taking that large of a jump in boat size ? Also do many of you singlehand?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
garrywillis	Re: Last Boat	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 277 05/01/06 09:51:10 Moderator	I think it would be wise to sail the 42 a few times with crew to see what the boat is all about before purchasing and using it for singlehanding by yourself. It can be intimidating going from your size to a 42 initially and if that is your sole intent on using the boat (gunkholing around the Chesapeake) it might be more satisfying to get a mid-thirties cruiser. That being said, the 42 is a simple but powerful boat to sail and I believe most folks have worked their way up. Personally, I came from a 36' Catalina but worked up from a 22' initially and I'm fortunate in that my wife is very active on the boat so I rarely singlehand the boat. As long as you have a good autopilot crew available, the 42 is singlehanded all the time. There is one guy who regularly singlehands his 42 from the Chesapeake to Florida "outside" and enjoys it quite a bit. The primary winches are located a bit too far forward from the helm to efficently trim the jib and drive at the same time and the mainsheet is located on the cabin top which really requires a good autopilot. So, it really depends on what your primary usage of the boat will be and what fires your rockets. Good luck. Garry Willis "Breezn" #502
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
lakandjc	Re: Last Boat	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 144 05/01/06 10:42:18	Tak: Our last boat was an Ericson 35-III which we sailed for several years along the SoCal coast and took to mainland Mexico one winter. We had experience sailing larger boats on charters and deliveries. Even with two persons sailing, a powerful and dependable autopilot is a must on a C42 in our opinion. Docking in marina settings becomes interesting as the boats are high and long. Loads are high and gear must be sized for them, and things take more time when you are shorthanded. Also, as length goes up arithmetically, cost goes up logrithmically; lines, haul outs, wax, parts, sails, slips, ground tackle, everything. Just some observations. Good luck in your search... James s/v White Star, #450 Puerto Vallarta
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
melelana	Re: Last Boat	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 327 05/01/06 11:19:49	TAK, My last boat was an O'Day 31 and the step up is pretty easy. That said, I've skippered up to 54' and crewed up to 73' over years of racing OPBs. It's twice the weight, but a more stable platform. I've singlehanded both boats extensively. I'm probably a little more conservative with the 42 as the forces are much larger and things can get out of hand if you let it. I have an Autohelm 6001G with a wireless remote. As mentioned by others, you have to have an autopilot you can trust to drive when you have to trim, reef, set, douse, etc. Larry Melelana Catalina 42 #175 1990 3cbn, wk Solomons MD
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
bob776	Re: Last Boat	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 119 05/01/06 12:48:19	Got to echo Garry Willis. That's a big jump. In 27 years I've had 4 sailboats; 25, 30, 36 and now 42. Each time I was amazed at the increase in volume, weight and handling difference. The jump's not impossible, but it's a big learning curve. Bob 776
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Unregistered(d)	Last Boat	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 0 05/01/06 12:48:51	Thanks for all the responses thus far.. As to my plans for the boat ..I plan on retiring in about six years and move on the boat full time to cruise. I would like the boat now to begin to become comfortable with it and outfit it accordingly. As for single handing.. I dont nesessarly plan on being alone but would like a boat that can be handled by one if necessary. As for experience I would love some time on other C42s if there are people in the Maryland area that need crew or dont mind a guy asking a lot of questions.. Tom
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
melelana	Maryland 42	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 327 05/01/06 14:24:42	Tom, E-mail me off forum if you are near Solomons. llhwd"at"gmpexpress.net Larry Melelana Catalina 42 #175 1990 3cbn, wk Solomons, MD
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
azure42	re: Last Boat	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 318 05/01/06 14:36:28	Tom, Our sailboat progression: Prindle 16, a second Prindle 16, Nacra 5.7, Islander 30, Catalina 42. We started boating in flat-bottom, drag race boats....sailors hated us and we hated them. Sigh...those were wasted years...... On our second sail after buying the C42, my wife turned to me and said, "This is smooth, not much different to handle than the Islander." Like Larry says, the added power, draft, windage, costs, etc. of the bigger boat can ramp up problems faster, but on average, with care, we've found ours to be no more trouble to handle than the 30 footer. Rod Williams Azure, #343, 2-cabin Alameda/San Francisco Bay, CA.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
seaair	It's not what you've owned, it's what you sailed	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 64 05/01/06 16:04:46	Tom - The last couple of boats we owned before we bought our 42 were McGregor 26's. However, almost every year we would charter a 36, 38, 40, 45, etc. The McGregor was for local sailing and the larger boats were for two week cruises. Having tried a number of boats from a variety of manufacturers gave us a better idea of what we were looking for in a big boat of our own. The larger boats all sailed much the same, with minor variations, but all were wildly different than the McGregor. As you have decided, trying different boats is the best plan. If you have the opportunity, spend a couple of week vacations on different types and you will quickly learn what you like and don't like about various designs. Warren Sutlej, #920, 3-cabin pullman
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
peterw	Last Boat	#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 105 05/01/06 16:35:34	The 42 is a fairly easy boat to sail single handed, especially with furling sails as C'est la Vie is equipped with. The problems that I have experienced (I moved up from a 36) is that the prop walk is very noticiable and therefore you need lots of room to start the backing maneuver. I first sailed the 42 from Des Moines (WA) to Sidney BC (Canada) a distance of about 100 miles. Although I had another person with me (he was not much help since he had just undergone back surgery), it was not at all difficult - we experienced all types of conditions and the 42 came through it all with flying colors. You may want to read the article on it www.48north.com its under "archived articles" for march 2006. The article is called "Good Bye Marianna - Hello C'est la Vie". The 42 is very fast compared to all the other Catalina Models and accelerates quickly. We saw speeds of 8 knots and more. You will also love the headroom and the comfort. Peter C'est la Vie
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
hunteronli	Re: Last Boat	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2 05/03/06 03:09:53	prior to owning our 1990 c-42 fin/tri cabin i owned a catalina 30 which i single handled on many occaisions in many different conditions. after five years i am extremely confortable on our 42. the addition of the #6001 auot pilot with hsb connections to all other electronics is my best mate. i also have every line run back to the cockpit as so there is no need to go foward in a nasty sea. i even have the second reef run aft and have set up that system with many turning blocks to make the job of reefing even less stressful. i feel the fin keel is also an asset when going to windward alone. the rudder is still the stock one and if it does ot sell this season i might go for the upgraded rudder. if your still looking check it out @coneys.com
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

Last Boat

Last Boat

Quick Reply