Association Forum - Mid-Winter Surprise

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

Mid-Winter Surprise

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/04/2006 : 13:45:22

OK folks, how many of you dream of owning a larger boat? Continually surf the various web sites and magazine adds for that perfect boat at the perfect price?

Having owned my C25 TR for 17 years, I have been "looking" for the past several years. My wife, who is a none sailer - hates the healing and the thought of 400 feet of water under the keel, generally shakes her head and humors me - knowing that it's not in the budget, or ever will be for that matter.

Imagine my surprise when, while attending our yacht club's annual mid-winter dinner meeting last week, a sailing buddy says to me "hey Al, I hear that the way is open to buy a bigger boat"? From whom did you here that I ask? "Your wife" he says.

I of course, am floored when she confirms my buddies statement. So, I guess the way is clear for me to buy a bigger boat. Will I take advanage of the opportunity? Hard to say. I love my C25, I've put a lot of money into her, and she is far cheaper to maintain than a larger boat would be. If I do decide to go for it, I'll be looking for a 28 or 30 foot Catalina in the 1984 to 1994 range. Someone will than be able to buy a very well maintained and equipped 1988 C25 TR
WK. In the mean time, see you at the Nationals.

Al Eckhart
GALLIVANT #5801
'88TR

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 14:13:48

Hi Al, I asked around when I was up at the Michigan Tech graduation but nobody knew where you were. In my confused mind the only reason to go up in size is the low headroom. If I was going to go up I would jump to an Islander Freeport 36......the boat of my dreams since I sailed one ten years ago. I am looking forward to buying up a beer at the nationals. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 14:39:15

The used Catalina 28 is a spectacular boat at around 30k.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 16:06:24

Dennis,

My supervisor was gratious enough to give me the day off. I work part time in the ticket sales office in the ice arena. A great retirement job at 20 hors per week, 9 months per year. I'm sorry I missed you though. Perhaps we can get together for a sail and beer, or just a beer, sometime.

Frank,

I have been considering a C28 for awhile now. Trailerable has its advantages and there are a few nicely ppointed late models on the market. Still, my 25 is a darn nice boat.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 16:27:04

I spent a week living on and sailing a C28 this summer. I would much rather have my C250 or a C25. There is really very little extra room in a C28, and it is poorly distributed. The aft berth in my C250 is considerably more roomy that a C28. The cockpit is the same size. The forward berth is higher up, and therefore harder to get into, and not big enough for a tall person. The table in the salon is larger on the C28, but that is really the only advantage. A C28 and C25 seem to sail about the same to me (I don't have enough time sailing a 250 yet to comment).

If I were moving up, I would jump higher, to a 34+.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 21:49:23

I agree with Kevin, Your not getting that much more boat for the 3 feet. At least a 30, if not a 32 or 34.

Edited by - on

sailorman
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 23:26:30

Its not always about size. (where have I heard that before?). Having stepped down from a 29 ft. Columbia to my 250, there are some things I miss, mostly the extra room below and the full keel and extra displacement. Get the boat that's right for you, for whatever reason.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 09:57:31

We are very successful racing a Catalina 28, that means it is a good sailboat, not all boats with sails are good sailboats. A 250 is obviously nowhere nearly as capable as a boat with a displacement of 8300lb and 6'2" of headroom in 10'2" of beam. Your use of berth space will vary with your own demensions. The issue which I believe is alluded to by Al is ones ability to afford a boat on an ongoing bases as well as handle a boat as we all get older. For me on a windy lake that means a 28 or a fractional 30. I cannot afford the sails or the taxes on anything bigger and cannot imagine hauling in a sheet on a 300 sq ft headsail when I am 65.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/06/2006 09:59:06

reuben
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 13:06:05

Congrats, Al; you know the world is good when your wife likes the same boats you do.

Just saw my first 28 at Strictly Sail Chicago. It's a lovely boat, though for having guests or kids along I'd be inclined (were I moving up) to get something with an enclosed aft berth -- the new 309 is impressive, the 320 even more so. Of course cost matters too and there are lots of older 30s on the market, some in excellent shape in the mid 20K-range. Keep us up on your search!

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 14:06:52

The C28 sails well, but there is precious little storage anywhere on it. The C320 is a wonderful boat, but they're pricey even used. There are a lot of happy C30 owners out there. There are also a lot of good late '80s boats out there by builders no longer in business - don't rule them out. Enjoy your search.

Edited by - cathluk on 02/06/2006 15:42:04

welshoff
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 14:35:19

Al,
FYI - If you are looking at C28's, look into the rigging. The early hull numbers had a single spreader rig that failed (I think they were even recalled?). Look for one with the double spreader rig. Info past on to me by a Catalina Dealer when I was considering a C28 last year.

Edited by - on

RickStevens
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 16:20:30

Al - Congrats on the wife! That's a nice surprise there.

Kevin - Your photo looks great, now that it's not of an empty slip. Congrats to you, too.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 16:29:41

I new I could rely on you guys for some reliable information.

Frank is right - budget, single handed sailing, trailorability, all play into the equation.

It looks like the only real descriminator is the spreader situation. I need rig strength on Lake Superior. Has onyone seen a 30 on a trailor?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 18:50:39

Hey Al,

That depends on your definition of trailerable, most sailboats that go into the 28+ range need to be launched with a hoist, the ramps just aren't deep enough to float or roll a boat off of. If where your going has a hoist, you shouldn't have any problems - however some of those inland lake trips might be off the list as the size goes up.

duane

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 19:38:34

I remember seeing an article in a sailing magazine (It might have been an old issue of Mainsheet) about a guy who trailered a C30 a long distance, like several hundred miles. I believe he used a 1/2 ton Chev pickup to pull it, but he must have beefed up the suspension, and probably had one of the old Chevy big-block engines like a 454. The boat alone weighs about 10,500#, plus the weight of the trailer and his toys. I can't imagine that he could have pulled it through the mountains, even with that tow vehicle.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 21:24:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I remember seeing an article in a sailing magazine (It might have been an old issue of Mainsheet) about a guy who trailered a C30 a long distance, like several hundred miles. I believe he used a 1/2 ton Chev pickup to pull it, but he must have beefed up the suspension, and probably had one of the old Chevy big-block engines like a 454. The boat alone weighs about 10,500#, plus the weight of the trailer and his toys. I can't imagine that he could have pulled it through the mountains, even with that tow vehicle.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I know we use a 350 turbocharged diesel, crew cab to haul the evelyn, and that probably checks in at 7500 with trailer. Give or take 500. I couldn't see a 150 handling the task without the mods steve is talking about.

Edited by - on

reuben
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 22:36:48

Al,

There's a nice c-30 (looks nice in the photos, anyhow) tall rig lying in Bayfield Wisconsin. Been for sale a while, name of Quintet, has a web page; you can google it up. They're asking just under 25K. Buy on Superior & you can sail home to Houghton.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2006 : 09:11:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 ...Has onyone seen a 30 on a trailor?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yup. Some friends had a C-30 with a trailor--saved them yard fees in the winter... but they had it hauled and towed to their home by a guy with a BIG truck. (It's a "wide load" just about anywhere, and certainly not "trailorable".) One winter an oil truck slipped on the ice and ran into it--I guess the boatyard has some advantages, too.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2006 : 10:16:27

All 15 of our club's 30s are on trailers, we even have a catalina 350 on one! The 30 is a light boat for its size. The issue for me with the 30 is the size of the head sail, that is why I would rather have a J30 or some other fractional rigged boat in that range. J30s are cheap now.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2006 : 10:39:29

My wife is also very much the non-sailor and has anxiety attacks when heeled past 5 degrees. She is also afraid of the water. She knows that these are irrational fears, yet despite years of trying to overcome these fears, I'm afraid that for her they will never go away.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 My wife, who is a nonsailer - hates the heeling and the thought of 400 feet of water under the keel,...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Easy...Buy a 30'+ catamaran and set the depth gauge offset to read a constant 6ft.

There are a few Stilletos and Corsairs at my marina and my wife likes the fact that these puppies remain relatively flat while sailing. Although I love monohulls, my retirement years might be spent on a liveaboard cat!!

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2006 : 11:55:25

My mid-winter surprise was twofold.

First. I am moving to the San-Juans in the Spring!!!!!!

Second. I am currently in Hawaii on a "Business Trip"

2 weeks here Training folks by day and Mai-Tai's at night.

Aloha!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2006 : 12:42:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by atgep
 ...I am currently in Hawaii on a "Business Trip"

2 weeks here Training folks by day and Mai-Tai's at night.

Aloha!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I know of which you speak!

My job for a previous company required me to spend a few weeks (and sometimes months) each year in both Waikiki and Kauai to support training...Hawaii on the company dime is awesome!

Edited by - dlucier on 02/07/2006 12:43:35

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.