Commodore's Column - May 2008

by Tom Sokoloski
Catalina 36 International Association

In the beginning there was a 22 footer. And life was good. And then there was a 27 footer, and life was better. And then there was a 30 footer, followed by a 25 footer, and life was better still. Next, a 38 footer, and then there was…..drum roll, please….a 36 footer! And then life was great! From July 1982 through November 2006, Catalina Yachts produced 2305 Catalina 36 hulls. Many builders have not made that many boats of all sizes, let alone one model. We own a true classic. By now everyone has probably heard that the 36 has been replaced by the 375. As I write this, the 375 has appeared in Boston, Chicago, and Miami. As you read this, the list of appearances is no doubt much larger. The 375 is a very nice boat. I was fortunate to see hull #1 at the Boston Boat Show, and it has a number of features I wish were on Julandra. Will it be able to sail for miles and miles, with only two fingers on the wheel? Will the layout below feel more comfortable each year you own the boat? How will you feel when you look back at the boat, sitting at anchor? Will it make your heart skip a beat? Only time will tell.
The May column for Mainsheet is hard to write. Stories are due far enough in advance that snow and ice still cover many boats in northern climates. Warm weather and sailing are only the stuff that dreams are made of. I went skiing the other day in Vermont with a few friends and had a wonderful time. Crunching snow and a brisk wind invigorate the mind, but chill the body. The days are definitely getting longer. Before I know it, the weather will be warm, Julandra will shed her winter cover and be floating again, and I’ll be staring out of my office window wondering why I’m not sailing. (The answer is easy: tuitions!)
If you are a member of C36IA, but your membership records don’t include an email address, you may not know about a new member benefit. In the beginning of January, we sent an email to all members. Posted on our website is the first issue of an E-Newsletter called JibSheet. The brainchild of Vice Commodore Chic Lasser, it contains lots of useful information, stories, and tech notes. Take a moment to read it at www.c36ia.com. Follow the instructions on the home page to create an account, which will be linked to your membership records. While you are there, check out the rest of the website. A number of people have put in a lot of time to make the website “The” place to go for C36 info. It is by no means finished. Suggestions are always welcome. So are stories, photos, and articles, for the website, for JibSheet, and for Mainsheet. Please feel free to submit them to any of the officers. This is your association. Let’s all make it better.

See you on the water,

Tom Sokoloski
C36IA Commodore