On the '85 model I've been looking at, the clamshell vents are on the
coaming at the stern. You would have to be way over to get any significant
water in there. I don't think it would be possible to sink a 27 from water
coming through those vents.
The 27 has a capsize ratio of about 1.8-something, which is excellent for
a boat of its size and configuration. Anything under 2 is considered OK for
offshore. What that means is that a 27 should come back up fairly quickly,
between one and two minutes, if it turns turtle.
The lazarette and the locker should have latches on them so they don't open
if the boat is knocked over. That's where the danger is. You won't get much
water in through them if they remain closed.
The other big danger, of course, is the companionway.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]on Behalf Of Judith
Blumhorst, DC
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 2:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [IC27A] CE Rating
Phil,
I'm curious how the newer boats had their engine compartment blowers vented.
I've always thought that if we laid the C27 on her side that water would rush
in the clamshell vents.
Also, if I laid her on her side long enough, the water would rush in through
the port locker, with all the openings into the engine compartment. I've been
tempted to spend some time reglassing the port locker... I already reglassed
the lazarette so it couldn't leak into the cabin.
Each design problem seem like "an accident waiting to happen" on the C27's to
me....
I know that Childress' C27 was an OB model, without engine room ventilation,
but how did Catalina solve the blower design flaw in their newer boats?
Judy
1977 C27 TR, IB, Traditional, #3459 "Bijou"
www.blumhorst.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Phil Agur <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 10:24:34 AM
Subject: [IC27A] CE Rating
John,
It’s a seaworthiness rating system that imposed some “new” construction
standards on the boating industry. I’m going to guess it came into play in the
early nineties. A ’73 Coronado certainly predates the standard but so do many
of today construction techniques. It’s a rating one should always check when
looking at newer boats as length alone does not establish seaworthiness.
The McGregor Power 26 rated “D”
The Hunter 270 rated “D”
The Catalina 250 rated “C”
Catalina didn’t overlook the modifications Patrick Childress completed a
single-handed circumnavigation in his Catalina 27 Juggernaut when they designed
the C270. If you pick up a copy of The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat by John
Vigor you’ll find an appendix list all 45 modifications. When you look at a
C270 you can see where Catalina addressed every single one.
The Catalina 270 rated “B”
It’s my understanding the C270 failed a break over flooding calculation for
category “A” but otherwise met the requirements. A smaller companionway would
have let it pass but of course it wouldn’t have met Frank’s commitment on
serviceability. Screwing the lower hatch board in place was part of my heavy
weather plan.
Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip
C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790
International Marine Certification
Institute Recreational Craft
Directive 94/35/CE
Boat design categories as defined by Institute Recreational Craft:
Design Category Wind Force
Beaufort Scale (knots) Significant Wave Height
in meters (feet)
A - "Ocean"
exceeding 8 (over 40 kts.)
exceeding 4 (over 13 ft.)
B - "Offshore"
up to and including 8 (34-40 kts.)
up to and including 4 (13 ft.)
C - "Inshore"
up to and including 6 (22-27 kts.)
up to and including 2 (6.5 ft.)
D - "Sheltered waters"
up to and including 4 (11-16 kts.)
up to and including 0.5 (1.5 ft.)
A. OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed
wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4 meters and
above, and vessels largely self-sufficient.
Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "A" include:
Catalina 30 mkIII
Catalina 310
Catalina 320
Catalina 34 mkII
Catalina 350
Catalina 36mkII
Catalina 387
Catalina 400
Catalina 42mkII
Catalina 470
B. OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and
including wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and
including, 4 meters may be experienced.
Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "B" include:
Catalina 270
Catalina 28 mkII
C. INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes, rivers and canals where conditions up to, and including wind
force 6 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and including 2
meters may be experienced.
Catalina models certified in compliance with CE category "C" include:
Catalina 250 water ballast
Catalina 250 wing keel
D. SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on small lakes, rivers and
canals where conditions up to, and including wind force 4 (Beaufort scale) and
significant wave heights up to, and including 0.5 meters may be experienced.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
