In article ,
Wayne.B wrote:
On 28 Dec 2005 11:13:00 -0800, wrote:

Looking for opinions on whether or not one thinks that a C&C 33 is
capable of handling big oceans. The C&C has a fin keel drawing 5.5'
with a free standing spade rudder. Should making a transatlantic
passage even be considered?

=========================================

Probably not.

It's certainly a decent boat depending on condition and equipment, but
it wouldn't be my first choice. It was built as a coastal
racer/cruiser in the 1970s and is quite competent at that although
outdated. If in totally original condition, the engine, deck coring
and rigging should all be regarded as highly suspect at this point.

Others will no doubt disagree, but I personally regard 40 to 45 feet
as about the minimum for halfway comfortable offshore cruising. Other
than length, the other qualities I'd look for are heavy displacement,
redundant systems, quality construction reputation, strong hatches and
ports, small cockpit, simple rig, longer keel and a deep bilge.

I would definitely take these comments with a big grain of salt. C&Cs
have a fine reputation as seaworthy boats (given all the usual
suspects). Sure, it would be nice to have something in the 40-45 foot
range, but lots and lots of smaller boats cross the pond with no
problems whatsoever.

Saying that all the stuff should be regarded as highly suspect isn't
saying much since all boats should be looked at with great care before
making a crossing commitment. Anything less is just foolish.




--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On 28 Dec 2005 12:34:44 -0800, lid (Jonathan Ganz)
wrote:

lots and lots of smaller boats cross the pond with no
problems whatsoever.

===============================

That's true. I know a guy who went round trip in a J-35 one summer.

That doesn't make it the right boat though.

For what it's worth, he bought an Endeavor 42 after that.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On 28 Dec 2005 12:34:44 -0800, lid (Jonathan Ganz)
wrote:

lots and lots of smaller boats cross the pond with no
problems whatsoever.

===============================

That's true. I know a guy who went round trip in a J-35 one summer.

That doesn't make it the right boat though.

For what it's worth, he bought an Endeavor 42 after that.

No doubt, but it doesn't make it wrong either. It depends on a lot of
factors, and from my experience, C&Cs are up to the task if properly laid
out. Structurally, generally of course, they're fine.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:18:40 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Structurally, generally of course, they're fine.

====================================

I agree but that is only one consideration. As I said originally it
is not the boat that I'd pick, and I stated my reasons.

Have you ever sailed offshore on an unsuited boat? It does not have
to fall apart to be unsuitable, a squirrelly motion in a seaway will
do it, so will flat shallow bilges that flood the cabin sole, so will
inadequate tankage that requires carrying fuel and water on deck,
likewise inadequate storage space, or inadequate battery and charging
capacity.

Most coastal racer/cruisers will fail on the majority of these points
and the C&C 33 is no exception. That doesn't make it a bad boat, just
one that's not particularly well suited for crossing oceans.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:18:40 -0800, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

Structurally, generally of course, they're fine.

====================================

I agree but that is only one consideration. As I said originally it
is not the boat that I'd pick, and I stated my reasons.

Have you ever sailed offshore on an unsuited boat? It does not have
to fall apart to be unsuitable, a squirrelly motion in a seaway will
do it, so will flat shallow bilges that flood the cabin sole, so will
inadequate tankage that requires carrying fuel and water on deck,
likewise inadequate storage space, or inadequate battery and charging
capacity.

Most coastal racer/cruisers will fail on the majority of these points
and the C&C 33 is no exception. That doesn't make it a bad boat, just
one that's not particularly well suited for crossing oceans.

No. I wouldn't do that. If I thought the boat was unsuitable, I wouldn't go.

In my experience, the C&Cs are not "squirrelly in a seaway. They are, in
fact, seakindly. They're generally stiff, fast, and well-built... sounds
like my ex... anyway... I wouldn't hesitate to take one offshore, assuming
maintenance was kept up.

I took a CT 48 down the coast from SF to Cabo non-stop. Even it did not have
sufficient tankage to drive the whole way without gerry cans on deck. I took
a Sparkmans and Stephens steel 61 foot long distance in the Med and it
didn't have sufficient water storage.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com