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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Pre-purchase advice requested

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Mary B.
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/14/2002 : 10:30:59

Hi everyone,

I am looking at several Catalina 25's, in the NY metro area,
older models from the early 1980's (due to a limited budget).

I would appreciate any pre-purchase advice more experienced
members can give me: are there any major issues I should
look out for in boats from the early '80s? Any optional
equipment, etc. that would make one boat more desirable than
another of the same vintage? I realize that older boats will
need more maintenance, etc. and this is reflected in their
price, but I want to avoid getting in over my head with a
real "project boat" - I'm not that handy :)

I will hire a surveyor once I decide on a boat; your advice
would help me with the selection process, before I call the
surveyor.

Thanks again for your help, and I'm looking forward to
being out on the water!

Mary B.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 10:48:56

Early 80s basically limits you to the swing and fin keels--what's your choice, and how do you plan to use the boat? Some of our answers will hinge (oh God, I'm sorry!) on that.

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

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 11:32:40

Another new forum member - cool!
Hello Mary B!
Your request for advice is very well thought out and written. You'll make a great contributor to our forum someday <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> !
The only <i>factory</i> optional equipment that I would look for would be (in addition to keel configs:)
Pop-top with vinyl surround
Sink in the head (as opposed to a hanger closet)
Coaming boxes for storing underway gear
There's also a standard rig verses a tall rig with the latter being about 3' taller. If you're going to be a cruiser <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>, the standard rig may be preferable.
Any other options would be aftermarket items. There are also a number of retrofit items for updating earlier C25s with improved fittings that came on later C25s.
One of the biggest maintenance challenges would be hull blisters (most of which can't be seen if the boat has been sitting on a trailer for a while.) I would also personally step on every square inch of the deck and listen for a crunching sound like potato chips - we'll explain later.
I would suvey the surveyors first. Find one that doesn't have a cozy relationship with the broker. I've read surveys on boats I'm familiar with and you'd think they surveyed the wrong boat!
You say you're not handy? You will be when we get done with you <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> ! I think you're on the right track. There are no dumb questions. Ask away!

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ (Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

Edited by - OJ on 06/14/2002 11:39:00

Edited by - OJ on 06/14/2002 11:49:04

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 11:59:07

Hi Mary,

Welcome to the Forum! Here is a link that might be helpful to you ... it is about self-appraising a C-25:

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summert2.html

Catalinas are GREAT sailboats ... I hope you find the perfect one for you.

Good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 12:21:07

Hi Mary,

Here's another page that might prove helpful.

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summertm.html

Both this one and Buzz's are from the Tech Tips section of the website. Take a look there too.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 13:30:32

One thing I like about mine ('82) is the gas tank storage area is external with a hatch cover at the aft part of the cockpit portside. Earlier models had it inside the port lazarette, which could lead to fumes in the cabin area.

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 14:37:56

Mary

You mention your in the NY area. When i was looking last year for a C25 I found one in a Boat Yard located in Patchogue, LI. The owner had not paid his bill and all the yard was looking for was payment to satisfy the storage. At the time it was $2000, the boat is a 1981 C25 SK in good shape. It also has a motor, roller furling (new) and some add on goodies.

The boat yard told me i would have to contact the owner (they had the phone #) and get him to agree to your taking over the boat. I dont think thats a problem since it has been there going on 3 seasons.

E mail me at frich@suffolk.lib.ny.us if you want the specifics

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 16:14:26

Mary,

Welcome. Boat surveyors can be expensive, so you might want to whittle down the list so he is only looking at one boat. Let the surveyor take care of the major items and look for things that will need to be replaced, or repaired in the next few years, or items that will not be included in the sale that you will have to obtain.

If you want more specifics, email me..

Also, check the parts manual located on the website...It will give you an idea of what should be there....

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b1ce23b3127cce9b043565af3d0000004010" border=0>

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 06/14/2002 16:16:10

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2002 : 16:30:29

You might want to go to the Catalina direct web site and look at what upgrades are available for the older C-25s. That way when you look at a boat you will know what to look for. Example Stainless steel spreder plate on the mast in place of the old alluminum. Mast plate, bow roller, new gudgeons ao the tiller area and so on. Find out how old the standing rigging is. Do all the lights work or have they been upgraded. Find someone local who has a C-25 perhaps you can talk them into helping.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

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