I had a similar problem: the top most batten broke through the batten pocket and shot down like an arrow piercing the top of my cockpit canvas about a foot and a half from my head. The canvas stopped the batten at the halfway point and held the batten in place saving it from flying overboard. The batten popping throught the batten pocket and piercing the canvas sounded like two gunshots! The dealer here in NC took the sail down and returned it to Catalina in Florida and they repaired the three batten pockets promptly and returned the sail directly to me along with three new battens which were slightly reshaped. Frank Butler contacted me personally and handled the repair much to my satisfaction.

Jock Muir, Hertford, NC.:)

It is good to see more 375 owners here on the forum, although I wish it wasn't because you were having a problem. I hope it is resolved quickly and to your satisfaction.

I have had a sailmaker comment on the quality of the standard sails that came with my C375 and C320. He actually wrote on the invoice something about the poor quality material, and that the sails were underdone.

When I spoke to the Australian dealer, he gave me the full Catalina spin. And said that the sailmaker was probably just upset that he did not make the sails orginially. I don't think this was the case, I think he was commenting on a set of cruising sails that would probably only last for a few years.

I did notice that the Catalina labels usually only last a few months, until they get blown off.

Delivery sails on many production boats have a history of not being top drawer quality, there selection are almost always price driven. Most racers would replace them in short order.

It would apear that you suffer from a problem of location as it sounds like Jock's problems were addressed quickly and amicably by Catalina. Your being on the other side of the world my add some discomfort for both you and Catalina. It sounds like a call to Frank Butler would be in order.

Don't get me started on the experience of buying three new Catalina's over the past 18 months. If I ran my business like the Australian distributor......

Mind you, he has addressed almost all of the issues raised - but some were just passed off, as "thats the way they come".

Rockman

The economy is obviously stronger down under than here stateside. If you have purchased three new Catalinas in the last eighteen months you are a large and valued customer. Your local dealer may not have been responsive enough, I would hope that Catalina would be willing to bend over backwards to address your issues. If not it it may be telling of Catalinas finical health as if they can not take care of a repeat customer such as yourself it does not speak well of them as a company.

Please don't get me wrong, we love our 375. For what we paid for the boat, it is great value for money. And when you buy three of them, the third one comes at quite a discount :)

Its just surprises me that with such a great product, the distributor is not selling more of them (he has other interests which may distract him, and I have heard of stories of not returning calls, etc).

Would I buy another Catalina? Funny you should ask (shhh - don't tell my wife that I like looking).

As for the economy, the mining industry is booming, which is dragging the rest of the economy along. And on top of this, the Australian $$$ is now worth more than the US$, which makes US boats much more attractive.
THe Euro is also increasing, so the European boats are also getting cheaper.

Just as an example, my first boat, a C320, was purchased then the dollar was worth 70c. So a boat worth $200K in the US, was selling here for $285K, now the same boat is less than $200K. Thats a great saving!

Mind you -imagine what that is doing to the second hand market. Especially if you bought your boat 18 months ago!

Cheers
Simon

I have not had the same problem as you guys but a couple of years ago I bent my boom, I called Catalina and requested to talk to Mr. Butler.

Now mind you my boat is a MKI TM was ordered for the PO. Mr. Butler secterary put me through to him, he pulled the file on the boat, which I was amazed and addressed the problem straiight away.

I was really impressed with Catalina and there reponse, Mr. Butler had all emails sent directly to him and he handled it personally, and actually called me back.

I would not hesitate to call CATALINA YACHTS directly, and request you would like to talk to Mr Butler, you will get through I have no doubt

Well good luck

Caprice is a 1990 model and I am the forth owner. While the oringinal main sail has long gone I still have the original 150% dacron jib with the Catalina logo on the bottom. I only use this sail when I race. I don't know the history of this sail but, I believe the sail was a special ordered sail when the boat was being originaly purchased because it is a true deck sweeping, diagnal cut racing sail. After each race it is taken down, folded and put away. This sail sails closer to the wind and faster then any of the other two jibs I have. Of course the other jibs are cruising sails. I do not use this sail if the wind is over 20 knts because of it's age and size.

Someday I will have to replace it. At that time I will bring it to a good sailmaker and tell him I want him to make the same sail...only better.