If I told you what I think about my 38 mk1, you’d think me a C&C zealot.
Wait a second. I’ve owned a C&C for 20 years next June (plus a couple of other C&C designed boats). I’ve belonged to about 4 previous iterations of Stu’s C&C list (and recall when Stu originally set up the Photo Album so we’d have a way to share pictures of our boats). And I still have my burgees from the C&C Sailing Assn. and C&C Sailing -Chesapeake Bay. Maybe I AM a zealot. Anyhow, the short answer to your query, Jim, is that the boat is built like a tank. It goes to windward like a witch. It can carry a lot of canvas in some pretty rough seas. And (I can already hear the shrill howls) – along with the 33 mk1 – is just about the prettiest sailboat ever made. Of course, that makes some sense because Rob Ball told us up in Mystic that the 38 was a stretched redesign of the 33. The IOR stern has not been a problem; I’ve broached only once in over 10 years of sailing her. Course I don’t have a death wish strong enough to make me fly the chute in 20 knots true wind. Hell, hull speed is only about 8 knots and all the HP in the world won’t get you to 12 unless you are surfing. Now, the IOR stern can make steering an athletic challenge with a 6 ft quartering sea running (though a 6 ft quartering swell isn’t a biggie). The downsides include the fact that you will never need berthing for 8 unless you are doing fully crewed offshore races – of course several of us have installed cabinets in the pilot berths under the side decks. You can’t sleep in the T shaped cockpit because of the short seats and bridge deck traveler – but that is what foredeck hammocks are for. The ice box is over 7 cubic feet, so you need a lot of ice or refrigeration capacity – but then it holds a lot of beer. The portlights don’t open – so you will need to think about opening ports or some added ventilation. The 20 gallon fuel tank limits your motoring range to about 150 NM – I carry extra fuel on deck when cruising. It’s an older design that has some warts. It is definitely not suited as a condo on the water like a .Catalina or Beneteau. But when you pass a J Boat or a Sawn that cost 5 times what your C&C 38 did, it sort of seems worthwhile. If I win big in the Mega Millions this evening, would I buy a different boat? Maybe. I’ve always thought the Swan 63/65 is at least as pretty as my 38 and has a lot more room. And my Admiral is quite taken with the accommodations in catamarans, so maybe a Gunboat 50. And I had a friend with a Bavaria 44 or 46 that was a great condo while still being a really nice sailboat. But I guess I’d have to think about it for a bit first. Guess I am a zealot. Rick Brass Imzadi -1976 C&C 38 mk1 la Belle Aurore -1975 C&C 25 mk1 Washington, NC From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of lynchja...@comcast.net Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 9:50 PM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List Scouting report on old C&C 38s Hello gang, I’m just about to close the deal on a 1977 C&C 38 Mark II. The boat is updated and loaded for cruising. I love its lines and the way it sails—at least on my sea trial. And I’ve had a crush on 1970s C&Cs since I was a teenager. It surveyed well but I’m still wishing I could hear from more people familiar with racing and cruising these old 38s. I enjoy racing but my primary intention with this boat is to cruise it in Puget Sound and in and around Vancouver Island. For my tastes, It seems like a nice roomy fast cruiser. From listening to a few racers, one potential concern is it might broach too easily with the chute up in a breeze. While I don’t intend to fly one often, I’d obviously hope it’s not too unstable downwind. I know some IOR designs are notorious but I’m not always clear whether to blame the design or the skipper. I saw where a 38 of this vintage, GADZOOKS, was first overall in a race from Massachusetts to Bermuda in 2011. And I’ve seen where another old 38 circumnavigated. Both of which should give me faith. But I’d still love to hear from any of you who can give me a scouting report on how this boat sails on different points of sail in different conditions as well as any other insights you're willing to offer. Thanks in advance, and happy new year to you all. Jim Lynch Olympia, WA.
_______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
