The L-shaped galley with its two-burner, gimbaled LPG stove and oven, a two level 12-volt refrigerator-freezer with both top and front loading access, and a deep dry locker, is a pleasure to use.
In the forward V-berth, the extraordinary item is the queen-size bed on the centerline. Four good-sized drawers are under the Vberth and provide ample space for clothing and personal items.
and provide ample space for clothing and personal items. Both on the port and starboard sides are lockers for more clothes storage. The one to starboard is a hanging locker, and the one to port has two very convenient shelves, which we use for storing towels and other larger clothing items. The “cave” berth under the cockpit is also queen-sized, but we only use it for storage since we feel claustrophobic with the cockpit sole so close to our heads at night. Space under the aft cabin is generous, and we store our snorkeling/diving gear there along with the dodger, which we only use in the winter. Access to the very reliable Universal diesel is by pivoting forward the companionway steps. This provides ample access to work on the engine for most maintenance and small repair projects. Sailing the C-310 is extremely satisfying. With the standard 135 percent roller furling jib and main, the helm is well balanced with just a very slight amount of weather helm. The instrument cluster in front of the wheel is easy to read and provides all the information needed. Iemaya came equipped with the Raymarine C-80 GPS plotter. This instrument provides us with more than enough information for the coastal sailing we do. I am still partial to paper charts,
but the online chart has been a blessing a couple of times, keeping us off the shoals at critical moments. To say that we are delighted with the C-310 is an understatement. We have cruised in her to Gulfport, FL, and again to St. Petersburg, and both times we have had great experience in the handling under both sail and power. Several times, we have spent days at anchor in Anclote Key and at the marina in Caladesi Island, and every outing has been highly satisfying. We normally have a week’s supply of non-perishable food on board, in case we make a last minute decision to “get away” from the everyday routine, and we’ve found the C-310 to have ample storage for just about anything we want to keep on board for those quick getaways. The C-310 was in production from 2000 to 2006, and I feel the company made a mistake in not continuing the line a little longer, since this is a modestly priced pocket cruiser that provides many hours of pleasurable sailing to its owners. We have found the light air conditions in the Gulf of Mexico to be particularly suited to our boat, since we are able to skim along on just a slight breeze and be able to get decent speed out of her.
News & Views for Southern Sailors
SOUTHWINDS December 2012
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