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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

New Owner Questions

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/16/2005 : 14:49:56

I am now the proud owner of a C-25 (1983) that we have named "Mysterious". (The boat had no name before so a sacrifice to the ocean gods was not necessary). Our fall project has been to clean and upgrade the cabin. I have varnished the teak trim and oiled the teak panels-gorgeous. We removed the aft berth cushions (old,smelly and torn) and replaced with a navy outdoor carpet. (we don't need the aft berth for sleeping). V-berth cushions were fine, but we covered with a navy velour blanket (perfect napping space) Porta-potti replaced (no explanation needed).

Structurally the boat is in excellent shape and the sails and rigging are fine. (I had the boat surveyed before I bought). BUT my main concern is updating the electronics.
Right now we have a GRP 27 battery and 10amp charger and inverter. Here are my questions:
1. Would a GRP 31 battery be better for weekend overnights? Recommendations?
2. Should I replace the orginal power panel with a new one? (wiring is a mess)
3. What about that deck socket? Only one and I have three deck wires? (anchor, spreader, running lights) Is there such a thing as a three-socket deck connector?

I had a great sail with the previous owner in September and I am in love with this boat. Looking forward to sharing experiences at this forum.

Cpt. Cate

P.S. Anyone know where I could find an old map of the Jersey Shore for cabin decor?

1983 C-25, Standard rig, swing keel

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 15:14:39

Welcome to the family, Cate, and congratulations on your new boat. I don't have anything to really contribute, except to say that you won't find a more friendly, more knowledgeable group of people than the folks on this board. I'm sure you'll receive quite a number of intelligent responses.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 15:15:28

Just had to post again, didn't like that number beneath my name. :-)

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 15:44:01

Hi, Capt' Cate, welcome aboard. Your q's are about what we all dealth with when we bought our 25 s and they will be answered in short order. Tell us something about the layout of your boat, keel, dinette/standard, tall/standard rig, hull color, motor, etc.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 16:26:07

<br />Hi, Capt' Cate, welcome aboard. Your q's are about what we all dealth with when we bought our 25 s and they will be answered in short order. Tell us something about the layout of your boat, keel, dinette/standard, tall/standard rig, hull color, motor, etc.

"Mysterious" has a swing keel with a 4.5' draft after 18 clicks on the keel winch. The hull is dark navy with a mahogany rub rail (recently varnished by yours truly), standard rig, Johnson Sailmaster 9.9, 2-stroke (to be replaced with the nifty enviro-friendly Nissan 9.9 extra long shaft this spring). I also plan to replace the motor mount with a new Garhauer.
I have pictures at home I can upload of our hull work this fall. (grinded the big iron keel and gave it new zinc, rustoleum and Bill's famous barnacle busting cayenne pepper bottom paint)

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 20:00:10

Here's my .02 worth

1. I have two group 27 batteries under the starboard settee and have never run low over a weekend. Your results may vary.

2. I have the original power panel as well. The wiring behind is like a squirrel's nest (danged PO

). I have in my list of to-dos replacing that bulkhead or at least putting a new face on it, then building a power station on the starboard wall just aft of the settee. There are some good ideas in the Tech-Tips forum.

3. My deck socket receptacle thingy already had three wires (ground, anchor, steaming). I replaced my steaming light with a combination steaming light/Halogen deck light. That meant that to have power for all three lights I would need a 4 prong receptacle. Another reason to replace the socket was I added a mast plate, blocks, deck organizers, and rope clutches to run all lines aft. The center block runs right over where the original socket was. So I searched high and low and found a 4 prong socket and receptacle, got out the hole saw and moved the location forward about 3-4 inches. I filled the original hole with white Marine-Tex two part and sanded it smooth. It's barely noticeable now.

Good luck on your new adventure and watch your wallet

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2005 : 20:48:38

>Right now we have a GRP 27 battery and 10amp charger and inverter. Here are my questions:

1. Would a GRP 31 battery be better for weekend overnights? Recommendations?

How much battery you need depends on how many electrical gadgets you use on your boat, how much you use them, and the interval between recharging. I think the most common approach is to run (2) group 27's. Deep cycle RV/Marines are preferred.

You can easily figure a rough 'electrical budget' for your boat by multiplying the amps drawn by each device times the expected hours of usage for that device each day... and adding them all up.

> 2. Should I replace the orginal power panel with a new one? (wiring is a mess)

I purchased some fused terminal blocks, connectors (& etc) then spent several hours 'cleaning up' my original panel so it has some semblance of order. Doing at least that much is highly recommended. (IMHO) Replacement with a completely new panel is currently on my 'someday' list.

3. What about that deck socket? Only one and I have three deck wires? (anchor, spreader, running lights) Is there such a thing as a three-socket deck connector?

A bit of a guess here, but I think you probably have a ground wire, 'anchor light', 'steaming light'. (The steaming light is the forward-facing light at the spreaders to be turned on only when motoring)

I prefer to not use a masthead anchoring light, but installed one about 6' off the water level. For most of us the primary danger when anchored will be from smaller boats... who may not be looking 35' off the water for a masthead light. Your sailing/cruising venues may dictate otherwise.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 11/17/2005 : 20:32:18

I rebuilt my stock electrical panel. I cleaned all the connections with a wire wheeled dremel tool. I then soldered every connectin I could. I took out the panel master switch and installed a bis red switch for the panel. I relocated the power light and that gave me yet another switch. Great results for not much money.
Here is a pic. Look on the modifications page.

http://www.freewebs.com/atgep/

Tom.

Edited by - atgep on 11/17/2005 20:34:29

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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.