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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Sorry, short rant

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/18/2005 : 00:31:46

You folks who have a boat, you are luckier than you know.

Catalina won't come up with a decision yea or nay on whether to sell me a boat at the price quoted a couple of weeks ago.

Another dealer (during a call to inquire about used boats) said "Hey, I'll quote it for you, have it for you by tomorrow...". That was last Thursday. No calls. I called him once. Still no calls.

Another person said "Hey, I'm thinking of selling my C250, call me." I called him. He said he would call back tonight.

You guessed it, no call.

I am getting a complex.

Kevin Mackenzie
Former Association Secretary and Commodore
"Dogs Allowed"
'06 C250WK #881
and
"Jasmine"
'01 Maine Cat 30 #34

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 00:50:50

Kevin, I don't understand how a dealer can back out of a quote. Was there a time limit on it that expired? If it were me, I insist he honor it, and let him know you'll elevate it to Frank Butler at Catalina if need be, then follow through if you have to.

Edited by - on

River Harley
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 02:01:34

Kevin....Al's suggestion to forward your issue to Frank Butler may very well be a good suggestion. When we purchased our boat we had a defect which required repair. The defect appeared at the end of the first season. It was a problem that was not actually covered under warranty. However, I sent a polite letter to Frank Butler expressing my frustration that the problem occurred after only one season of use. Even though it was not covered, Mr. Butler saw to it that Catalina paid for the repair. I was impressed. Maybe he can assist you.

River Harley

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 03:22:21

As to how they "backed out", maybe someone out there can correct me, but I am told by the dealer and other folks that Catalina offers "boat show specials" that expire less than a week after the boat show. It took me 3 weeks to find and arrange (beg) to sail on a C250WK before I was ready to order, so the Catalina portion of the discount is gone unless the factory makes an exception.

That said, I was already mentally on this track of escalating it, and I think it is good suggestion. If I don't get an answer or if I get a negative answer by the end of this week, I plan to write Frank a polite letter telling him how darn hard it is to buy his boat.

One of the reasons I am so patiently trying to find one of these boats is the high marks owners generally give the factory for after sale support. I have also heard many "Frank stories" about how he made things good that were not strictly his fault.

Thanks for the thought.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 10:21:34

Personally I wouldn't buy another new boat. I purchased my current C25 new and have put thousands into it. Of course I've had it for 16 years and have had lots of opportunity to fill the proverbial "hole in the water". If I buy again, it will be a pre-owned Catalina with the stuff I want on it for half the price.

Edited by - aeckhart on 10/18/2005 10:22:48

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 12:22:30

I'm with Al on this one! I'd never spend thousands to buy a new C250 when there are so many good used C25's around at a fraction of the price.
Derek

Edited by - on

tmark
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 17:44:06

Kevin, Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The 9.9 Honda will turn at least 90 degrees in the transom cutout with the tiller up. Mine did not because of the tiller down stop but it would if I moved the motor over maybe 2 inches. The motor cover was not an issue. One problem I had to think about would be had the motor been turned to port and the rudder to starboard there may be contact with the propeller. I would look into that before nailing down the motor.

Also, I do not know what you were quoted for a new C250 but I think I was told about 26k and 6k for a trailer. All up and out the door I paid 30k for boat, motor, wheel, blue and cushions, delivered and set up on the water. (no trailer) Maybe they could cut you a deal on the blue package, electronics and cushions?

Here is the company I went through.
SAILBOATS OF BAKERSFIELD
3100 UNION AVE
BAKERSFIELD, CA, 93305
Phone: 661-322-9178
No email that I know of.

I could have bought a C25 for 5-6k but now that I have my boat here I see a big difference between the two. Larger cockpit, more cubic ft below which makes the foredeck flat (not that I spend much time there). I really do have a love for the wheel. I wasn't sure how that was going to work out but it makes for more room in the cockpit and $800 for coaming winches but well worth it.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 22:23:54

Kevin, I just talked to my local (Marina Del Rey, CA) dealer about your situation. Catalina won't let him sell you a boat with shipping included (they want to protect their local dealers), but if you happened to be in Los Angeles and didn't mind picking it up at the factory and towing it to Portland yourself, he said he could help you.

If you want to contact him, his name is Doug Pease (doug@cyayachts.com or 310-822-0669).

Seems like it's worth checking out, anyway.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 10:56:17

Thanks to both of you. A problem I have discovered is California sales tax. If the boat is delivered in California, I have to pay it. We have no sales tax in Oregon, so it is a big chunk of change different.

Otherwise, indeed, I had thought about dragging it to Portland myself already.

Washington has a provision in their sales tax law that allows for no sales tax to Oregon buyers. So I can work with a Seattle dealer, but California is harder.

So if I get a boat in California, I think it has to be used, although perhaps there is a tax in that case too?

Like I said, thanks for the suggestions.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 22:45:02

Catalina decided today that I can have the discount originally quoted. Hurrah! My C250WK is on order...

As a side note, apparently one person handles marketing questions, all sales questions, production control, and (since someone else had a baby and quit) even has to type the order acknowledgements.

I like a company that runs lean, except when I have to wait for them to get a round tuit.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2005 : 23:56:43

Catalina decided today that I can have the discount originally quoted. Hurrah! My C250WK is on order... - Kevin

CONGRATULATIONS! 'Glad it finally worked out for you

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2005 : 02:16:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 I'm with Al on this one! I'd never spend thousands to buy a new C250 when there are so many good used C25's around at a fraction of the price.
Derek
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not in Southern California! I'm eager to buy a '98-'00 250 wk. If you hear of one in my "neck o' the woods", please let me know. Thanks.

Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
farmhand4@verizon.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~aadiver

Edited by - on

bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2005 : 10:34:06

Frank
There's a 2001 C250 listed here:
http://www.boats.com

Bill

PS - There are only 6 C25's currently listed in all of California on this site (0 at catalinaowners.com).

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2005 : 13:00:28

Here are more sites:

www.yachtworld.com

www.catalinaowners.com

www.boatus.com

www.ablboats.com

www.sailboatlistings.com/

Edited by - on

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