Amenities, Sailing ability, price and quality. I recently traded in my Cal 2-25 that I really loved after 2 foot itis at the Dallas Winter Boat Show in 2004 got the best of my wife and I. If you are looking for a boat that has a large cockpit, airy and roomy salon, easy sail handling and great performance-the 310 is a very good choice.

SAILING ABILITY: Even though I have been sailing for almost 10 years I still feel I have much to learn. I started sailing with a friend on his Alberg 30. My first boat was a Spirit 6.5, then the Cal 2-25 and now the Catalina 310. The 310 sails very well for a cruser type sail boat. In light winds its not uncommon for us to go out with winds of 10 knots or less-I'll unfurl the 150 Genoa and leave the main down and still sail along at 2 to 3 knots. In heavy air she seems rock solid because I opted for the Fin keel (6.3 ft draft) and the wide beam. If I keep the sails trimmed properly I can keep full sail up (sometimes rolling in the 150 a turn or two) in winds up to 20 knots. Over 20 I reef the main and the genoa and sail along just fine. The 310 is not a racer but will hold her own in local "Beer Can" regattas. (I actually took third place in Dallas Race Week 2004 in Main and Jib).

What I like Best about the 310:
*Big Cockpit
*Open Salon with non traditional interior
*Brand Name equipment-Lemar (44's) winches, Dutchman sail flaking system, Schafer Rolling Furling, Alder-Barber Refer, etc.
*Interior amenities-Soild surface Counter top-Catalinas verison for Corian, Great Head layout, Forward cabin-WOW innerspring matress, Hangin locker lined in cedar, swinging TV mount
*Storage-Plenty everwhere
* Design and looks-not to "Modern", not too "old fashioned"

What I added:
Three blade crusing prop (Great choice for manvering), AC/Heat installed by my dealer, Raytheon ST60 Wind/Depth/Speed, Half Bimini, Fin keel, 150 Genoa, White "Leatherette interior, TV mount, Lexon compaionway doors, Canavas package, VHF radio with Ram mic at Helm station, AM/FM CD player

What I'll add next:
Auto Pilot and Chart plotter
Spinaker gear for Asymentical