"Capt. Rob" wrote in message
oups.com...
That would be a serious mistake if you chose to race against my boat
in,
say, a fin keel Catalina 34 with a PHRF of 144. My boat tends to sail
with
C34s upwind and beats them easily off the wind or downwind.

A Sea Sprite 34 compared to a Catalina 34 is half a ton more with 5
feet less LWL.

I couldn't really expect you to know this, but boats of the generation of
mine have those overhangs for a reason: the waterline length increases
significantly when they heel. On paper the LWL looks incredibly short, but
it is well within the normal range of boats in her length range when heeled.
That's at least partly why her rating is so high--it's based upon the
resting LWL. Further, that short waterline is a huge advantage downwind,
when wetted surface area minimized is a plus. That probably has something
to do with her ability to easily sail around many larger boats with the wind
abaft. A Hunter 410 from our marina can't stay with her downwind. In fact
we lose sight of her astern within half an hour. Same story with a new
Catalina 350 from our marina.

There really is no way you'll overcome the Catalina's
LWL and lighter weight in a variety of conditions IF she's well sailed
with a clean bottom.

On paper that would seem to be the case. In reality it's not true. My wife
and I have coined a term: the Catalina one-eighty, which is what they
regularly seem to do ostensibly to avoid embarrassement.

On the LIS, the TL Cat is rated at 150.

She never fails to attract compliments and photographers
like flies every time she's on the water.

You must live someplace very unusual. Your boat and boats like it are
as common as flies here.

You aren't wrong on this point. We don't have many older traditional boats
here, just lots of Beneteaus and Catalinas and Hunters. Ours in not
unique, but it is rare, and most people have an eye for aesthetic sheer
lines and graceful overhangs. She's also bristol with forest green Awlgrip
topsides. On the right coast, CCA-type boats are plentiful. In fact, ours
is only one of two Luders 34 designs on Lake Michigan. The majority of the
others is in and around Maine.

It's funny how people always say "my boat
draws compliments." Hey, my boat one boat of the year in 3 countries
and in Cruising World.

It may have, but it looks like just about every other plastic boat being
produced today. It's got some great qualities, Bubbles, and it's a boat
worth owning. I'm sure you'll love it. But it's not exactly distinctive.
Perhaps if you sailed in the Persian Gulf your boat would draw attention.
g

Yeah okay, big deal. If YOU like your boat,
that's all that matters. And I only rated people who've had the balls
and confidence to share pics of their boats here.

I sent several photos to a photo website that someone--can't recall
who--provided for ASA boats a few years ago. I'll be happy to provide newer
ones to a similar website. I'll also send you some via email, if you're man
enough to accept 'em.


The Nordic isn't the prettiest of the canoe stern boats, but it is
better
looking than, say, something with a horrendous, big-ass swim platform.


I have a friend who can't get past the looks of my boat or even a
Catalina 30, which is pretty inoffensive in my book. If you only have
an eye for the older stuff that's fine. But Mooron's boat is more
distinctive in shape and a sharper looking boat.

It's all in the eye of the beholder. Mooron's boat is attractive, so is
yours and mine. The point is not which is better looking, but *to whom* it
is attractive. I like mine. CM likes his. I'm betting you like yours.
Just don't become so arrogant as to believe that your aesthetic
sensibilities are those of everyone else.

If your old Sea Sprite
is in bristol restored shape, I'm sure we'd all like to see pics. How
my swim platform fits into this is a mystery to anyone but you.

I guess I should have put the proverbial smiley face behind that swim
platform statement. I was ribbing you about your adamant declaration that a
swim platform is a necessity. To be honest, it would be nice on most boats,
but ridiculous on ours. Our freeboard is so low it simply isn't necessary,
but our friend's new Moorings 445 would be difficult to board from a dink
without one. And yes, my SS34 is bristol and probably the best-equipped of
any of the roughly 50 of them built. It's also one of the rare
factory-finished boats. Quite a few of them were owner finished--some are
nice, but some have amateurish joinerwork below.

Give me a website and you'll have photos.

Max