Association Forum - The North Atlantic in a C-25

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

The North Atlantic in a C-25

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

dblitz
Navigator

Member Avatar

240 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/18/2006 : 19:41:59

Actually, I just want to convey another comment from the surveyor that looked at my boat a few weeks ago. First of all I need to mention that the boat I purchased had been on the hard for 5 or more years and I'm still finding out what it will need by way of repairs, etc.
The comment from the surveyor was (the boat is currently in Mamaroneck, NY), nice little boat to daysail in but you're not going to go to Block Island in this. That was a sobering statement for a number of reasons.
1) I own a 32 yr old 22 ft Oday that is a nice little daysailer and I stayed close to home in it.
2) Thought that a 25 footer certainly should be able to do a little cruising. How long can it take to get to Block Island from Mamaroneck (no idea but, say 5 hours?)
3) Do gamma rays or something age a boat making it fragile so that while new it can go, but after a few years you have to stay close to the marina? Does the fiberglass thin out? Do the metals fatigue?
I'm not exactly an experienced, heavy duty user that's going go out in the perfect storm, but if I learn some more can I go with confidence in an 86 fK/sr dinetter inboard diesel? What do you all think?

Daniel 86 "Solar Wind" #5339 C-25 FK/SR I/B Diesel

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1769 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 20:01:31

For cryin' out loud ... I can't believe the surveyor said that ... maybe he's just covering his hind side.

I sailed to Block Island last June with my best friend. Granted, we were on a 37.5' Hunter, but I don't see any reason why a C-25 couldn't make the same trip. On a clear day you can SEE Block Island from just off shore.

If you want to see what a C-25 can do, just take a look at our Commodore's site ... Jim has been all over the place with his boat, as have others (like Leon Sisson, John Vining, etc. etc. ... 'sorry I'm leaving out a bunch of you, but I'm writing this in the heat of the moment

).

Just make sure you're properly equipped and planned, and GO FOR IT.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 20:03:57

I think he should have said "I will not go to ....." Every since I bought my C25 I have been doing research on small boats traveling long distances. If the boat is in good shape, then it will make one hell of a good cruiser. Check out the video clip I posted here in the General Forum. That guy is going to take that 24 footer out 200 miles off the shore of SanFran just to qualify for a longer race. Cheers and good luck and find a good surveyor.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 23:18:11

Well, Block is about 4 hours from Mystic at cruising speed, but it's about 110-120 miles from Mamaroneck, so figure how many hours you want to spend on the water per day, and assume 5 knots average only if you plan to motor a fair amount of the time. I think you'll conclude that it's at least two sailing days--three if you want to visit some ports and arrive with plenty of daylight. Then you should allow for the possibility of laying over for weather. The C-25 is certainly up to the job as a sailing vessel as long as you watch the weather and plan your timing for the tides at the Race. Also ask someone about the currents at Long Sand Shoal. The SR/FK/diesel version is the most seaworthy 25-footer Catalina has ever made--certainly more so than the outboard-powered boats most of us have.

There are plenty of wonderful ports along the way where you can stretch your legs, get a shower, go to a restaurant, etc. I recommend the Maptech Embassy Guide for Long Island Sound--available in just about any chandlery.

Go for it!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/18/2006 23:32:58

cat30
1st Mate

Members Avatar

73 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 10:05:08

We've taken our 1977 Cat25 to Block Island 2 times. Once was an easy trip the other was a beat the entire way from Newport to Block in about 20mph winds. It wasn't comfortable but i never felt in danger. It was only about a 4 hour trip.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 10:08:46

Fin keel, diesel (won't ventilate the prop) boat in good shape, good weather forecast.
You'll want a GPS, VHF, Depth Sounder, flares, radar reflector and good ground tackle.

IMHO: This is coastal cruising and should be well within the capabilities of the boat.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 10:29:19

Hi Daniel,

I was concerned only with your plan to arive at Block Island after five hours at sea. I live in Patchogue, about mid way between Mamaroneck and Block Island, and by road to Montauk it is sixty miles, add a few more miles to the Island and you can see a problem. I hope it was just a typo and that you meant five days not five hours. I totally agree with all that others have said about the boats ability. Do your homework and plan well and it should be an adventure that you will want to detail on the forum.

It might be a good idea to see if there is a flotilla leaving your area for the block and tag along.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 pATCHOGUE, n.y.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 16:08:51

Take a look at my web site, I've taken my 25 year old C25 far offshore, hull #398. This summer completed a 500 mile round trip cruise single handed, last summer a 325 mile trip. I've been up to 50 miles offshore. I've sailed in big winds and seas to 10 feet and calms and seas to 1 inch.

My boat is well prepared, well equipped and I've got literally thousands of miles of experience. Gosh with a inboard diesel I'd go anywhere.

Lots of people put the C25 down. Don't give in to this.

The boat can take it, can you?

Thats not a joke, you'll find you can go anywhere in safety. Comfort is another matter.

www.indiscipline.org

Edited by - JimB517 on 01/19/2006 16:11:56

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 22:39:30

I took my C-250wk to the Bimini Islands from South Florida along with twelve other trailer sailers. There were two other C-25s with us. Leon has had his C-25 all over the Bahamas and he left from the Space Coast! Plan your sail and Sail your plan. The flotilla is a good idea if you are new to cruising. Load up on spare parts and tools. Watch the weather. Know how to navigate. Have FUN!

Edited by - Ben - FL on 01/19/2006 22:40:06

John V.
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2006 : 23:37:14

Thanks for the mention Buzz, I'm certainly not alone in taking the C25 on long distance cruises. Check out Mike Hetzman's story of his families trip around the great circle, a year long cruise that took them from the North Channel through the Mississippi system, across the Gulf to Florida up the East coast and back into the great lakes through the NY state canal. You can find his narative in the cruising section.
A C25 would probably have a tougher time on Lake Erie with it's choppy short frequency wave patterns than on the open water beyond Montauk Pt. It's been a while since I sailed on Long Island sound but I used to do it on a Seidleman 24 in great comfort.

Edited by - on

dblitz
Navigator

Members Avatar

240 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2006 : 09:06:43

I'm glad many of you have had the opportunity to really GO and I think that I won't be thinking about the surveyor's comments when I do.
I got the impression also, that the insurance co. was pushing an inland lakes and rivers policy instead of the coastal waterways policy and I, kind of, thought there might be some connection.
On the other hand, without being an expert, boat appeared stout (didn't look like a Macgregor) and my untrained sense thought it should be good to go coastal, but I just wanted your comments and/or cautions.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2006 : 17:30:57

Your "untrained sense" is pretty good, Daniel... It surely ain't no MacGregor! On the other hand, it isn't a blue-water cruiser (for crossing oceans)--it's a "coastal cruiser" designed to be in port in a real storm, but capable of getting through a squall when handled properly. For the most part, it can take more than most of us owners can--not including our Commodore. I have only "tested" mine a couple of times, and try to avoid that for the comfort of me and my crew, not because of the boat.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.