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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Wanting input on weekend cruising............

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benglert
Deckhand

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Initially Posted - 06/04/2002 : 17:40:40

Greetings!!
I am wanting to purchase a Hunter 250 for weekend stays either at anchor or dockside. I have little sailing experience and want a boat that is easy to sail and can be single-handed on days when I am by myself. My question is how many of you spend weekends on your boats and do you think the 250 has enough room for two adults to live on weekends without being cramped. Thanks for your input!

Brian

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MarkTM
Navigator

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USA
178 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2002 : 18:19:23

HUNTER!!!! We will have to overlook your faux pas <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Cramped means different things to different people. We own the centerboard model (water-ballasted), so we have at least 10" less headroom than the wing keel model. But, for reasons too detailed to get into here, we think it is a fair trade. My eight year old son and I spend many weekends aboard during the year (we sail 12 months a year). I often find myself looking into the cabin from my bunk in awe of the amount of space we share. Even though I'm 6'3", it seems much more than we really need.

My wife joins us a handful of times for weekend stays throughout the year, including the long Memorial Day weekend and Thanksgiving weekend. When she is aboard, the cabin seems to shrink. She tends toward claustrophia and ANY BOAT, no matter how large, is too small for her. We still do fine. Both the v-berth and the large aft berth are suitable for two adults. The enclosed head gives crew privacy. The cabin is open and airy. The raised pop-top with installed canvas cover gives plenty of headroom in the galley area . . . even to me. I think the headroom with top up is about 6'5".

All in all, the C250 is a great weekend trailer-sailer. The next step up (worth making) would be at least a Catalina 30', if not a 34' or 36'.

Oh, I forgot to mention: I single-hand my boat all the time. Very easy to do even with the wheel steering if you steer from the coaming as I usually do.

Mark Melchior
C250wb "Lorelei" #384
[url="http://www.texassailor.com/"]<img src="http://www.texassailor.com/texas.gif " border=0>[/url]
(click flag to visit Central Texas Sailor)

Edited by - marktm on 06/04/2002 18:23:12

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2002 : 22:09:31

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Greetings!!
I am wanting to purchase a Hunter 250...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Ain't no such thing. Hunter makes a 240 and a 260, and Catalina makes the 250.

Hunter's 240 has no enclosed head--in my mind, that puts it in the "overnight camper" category. ("I gotta go--everybody get up and out into the cockpit!")

Hunter's 260 is bigger than the Catalina 250, and is officially an "Oversized Load" on the highways of many states. And without elaborating, I'll offer the opinion that it and the McGregors are in one class, and the Catalina is in another.

Catalina's 250 is the sweet spot in the trailerable cruiser market--also the market for "pocket cruisers" that don't involve inboard diesels and some other complexities. It's legal on the road, sails very well (and is downright fast in light air), and has amazing accomodations for its size. As Mark indicates, the wing keel version has significantly more headroom, but still not quite enough for a six-footer to walk around without stooping a little. But who walks around? When you go below in that size cabin, you sit or lie down--the more important issue is whether everybody can do that and be out of each other's way. For two, the answer is "yes".

Assuming you're actually talking about the C-250 (not an H), and you want more discussion about water ballast versus wing keel, just ask. But look into sailing lessons--the C-250 is pretty forgiving in open water, but pretty big for a novice in close quarters!

Good luck in your quest...

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/04/2002 22:12:08

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2002 : 23:34:26

The ultimate test is to find a way to spend 1 night on each boat you are considering. If it is a 25 foot boat that you are sure about, then the 250 wing Keel will definitely win out on all the rest, just try it
Steve Steakley
Moon Chaser #385 WK

Edited by - on

Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2002 : 00:01:59

Welcome Brian.

I see from your profile that you are from Missouri, so won't trailering be an issue for you? I, like Mark, have a 250 WB and find it easy to handle on the water and on the road. I/we don't find it too crowded. My wife, 9 yr old daughter, friend/s, and 70lb lab have overnighted without issues. In hindsight I probably would have opted for the wing keel after seeing how easy the WB is to tow and launch.

I have a cousin in New England with a Hunter 260 and it has a similar layout but is really quite a different (IMHO not better) boat for more money, and as Dave stated it has an 8'10" beam making it technically illegal to tow other than as a wide load.

Ray Seitz C 250WB #628

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2002 : 07:21:50

we have a 99 wk C250. we spend every weekend on it (from may to october) and two weeks in the summer. we have plenty of room. at night we put up the pop top and have plenty of head room. we have even had guests overnight. we just remove the back of the couch and they sleep in the vberth. no problem. (the enclosed head is a must).

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2002 : 08:27:19

We have a '97 C250 wing keel & also spend most spring, summer, & fall weekends on it (2 adults). We've also spent a week on it in the summer. If you don't need to trailer it I highly recommend the wing keel because of the added headroom. The C250WK with the new rudder is a wonderful boat to sail - it can handle everything from light air to a ripping 25 knots once you learn when to reef and adjust the sails. Its very forgiving and not too big so its fairly easy to dock. The wind does tend to push it around some, but that will be true of any boat with such a high cabin top.

The best thing to do is find somewhere to take a look at the models you're considering - once you narrow it down to a couple maybe you can find someone nearby who can take you for a sail to see how they handle.

Also, if you're new to sailing I recommend taking an ASA or US Sailing basic sailing couse. You can take on over a weekend.

Good luck finding the right boat for you - and please let us know what you decide & why.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

benglert
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2002 : 09:17:32

Sorry for insulting everyone by saying I wanted to buy a Hunter 250 instead of a C250. I have looked at both the Hunter 260 and the Catalina 250. After talking to some other people, I have decided on a Catalina. Thanks for your help! I will let you know what I decide to do next.

Brian

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2002 : 17:28:01

Good decision, Brian... Your people are steering you straight! Keep in touch.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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