Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I have yet to find the 250 WB that I want, so trying to address all the issues with this ballast has still not left me comfortable with how this boat will be utilized.
We live in a low tide mooring and access to the Gulf here in Florida. We are not trailer sailors, so periodically emptying this ballast or leaving the ballast water in the boat must create some issues down the road?
In addition, I have read enough hoarer stories regarding ballast leaks and the cost to repair.
While moored, is there a way to dump the ballast? I'm assuming, since Catalina Support said it is not a boat to be left in the water, that all I need to do is be able to bump the ballast at the end of the sailing day while the boat remains at the mooring. Appears that leaving the ballast full when not sailing has become a leak issue to those in the past.
Any thoughts other than dealing with the Cat 25SK 32" Draft or the 22SK 24" Draft that is absolutely to small.
I'm a little concerned that floating a C250WB with empty ballast tank would be a little like trying to float a rubber duckie upside down. Center of gravity would be way too high. These boats are already known to hunt around at anchor, and with the centerboard up that would be even worse, so you'd likely get a side wind against the mast which could flip her over. No ballast means no righting moment.
Rick S., Swarthmore, PA PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor) New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)
How much draft is acceptable for your situation? Many boaters have to plan their outings based on their tide tables.
The C-25 raised swing keel is indeed deeper than the raised C-250 centerboard, but you could throw the newer C-25 wing into the mix--it draws only 2" more than the raised swing keel, and eliminates some maintenance issues. It won't quite outrun a swinger to windward, but it sails well and has more headroom below.
I won't speculate on leaving the tank empty, although at a boat show, I was on a C-250WB that felt "strange" and commented to the rep, who said he had chosen to leave the tank empty. I don't know what it would've taken to capsize it, but it was apparently more than my weight... (The righting moment is certainly reduced, but there still is some from the hull form and weight. Our round-bottom daysailer had no ballast whatsoever, and stayed upright against high winds on the beam in her slip.)
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.