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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

How does the centerboard work?

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Gene DeMambro
1st Mate

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33 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/27/2006 : 15:54:12

Good Afternoon,

I am an owner of a 1989 C25 SR/WK. A friend of mine (who got me back into sailing after a 12 year lay-off) has an AMF 2100 daysailer and wishes to trade up to a bigger boat. Both his kids are married, are starting to have kids of their own, so he needs some more space. He was initally enamered with the Macgregor 26M. After discussing the pros and cons with him, he began to waiver. After seeing an ad for a C250 he started to really like it instead of the Mac. It has all the features he is looking for. He has a few questions that I can't answer, as I am not all that familiar with the C250. I apologize if these questions seem a little basic, but I really don't know a whole lot about non-fixed keel boats. So here goes:
<ul><li>His AMF has a centerboard that retracts into the cabin, and essentially cuts the cabin in 2 lengthwise. Does the centerboard in a C250 operate much the same way, or does it act much like the swing keel on C25, for example? I can't find any really good pics that answer, but the photos I have seen show the CB does not retract into the cabin, but retacts into the underside.</li>
<li>He is 5'11" and on the thin side. His son-in-law is 6'1" and played center for his college FB team. Is the headroom on a centerboard model a big concern for him and his son-in-law?</li>
</ul>

When there is a moon tide at low tide, where his mooring is now barely has 2 feet of water or so, so a WK model is out for him. We've discussed him asking the harbormaster for a mooring location with deeper water so this isn't a concern, but unless that happens he's stuck with a shallow draft vessel.

I have also explained the benefits of Catalina Direct and this association and the bnefits I have received as a member. I'd really like to see him in this good boat that he and his family can enjoy if it can suit his needs.

In any event thanks for answering.

Gene

Edited by - Gene DeMambro on 11/28/2006 09:21:17

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 18:19:11

Gene, I have a wing keel C250. One of the advantages is that it has 9" more headroom inside than the WB. That matters to some and not to others. It seems to me that the major advantage of the WB is the trailerability. For that you give up some standing room and the aft berth is less functional because in the WB the stairs do not fold away. If the big issue is the depth of the mooring, and your friend does not intend to trailer, I would go for the deeper mooring and a wing keel. My .02

Also, you are right on re Catalina Direct. That plus this forum makes either C250 a great choice!

Edited by - Nautiduck on 11/27/2006 18:20:11

Quentin
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 19:05:50

Gene,

I sail a C250 WB. 1995 #153. The centerboard does not retract into the cabin, it's stowed underneath as you suspected.

Perhaps the 6'1" center has retained his helmet, if not he as I and most of our guest have learned to keep their head's low. I trailer our boat often & enjoy sailing various lakes and bays. I also enjoy the shallow draft. I plan to install a kick up rudder, for now I remove the rudder and motor into those shallow secluded coves.

I consider the limited headroom an inevitable and acceptable trade off. When not sailing, the pop-top is quick to install, thus the headroom is a non-issue for us.

Take Care

Quentin
Old Bombay II
Point Philip, PA

Edited by - on

Gene DeMambro
1st Mate

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33 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 19:39:04

Thanks so far for your responses. Another quickie: Can one sail with the pop-top up, or must it be down?

Cheers,
Gene

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 19:48:10

The manual says not to sail with it up.

Edited by - on

Gene DeMambro
1st Mate

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33 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2006 : 20:28:53

Thanks Tom

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 07:05:00

Gene, I think your friend needs to see a C 250 W/B and wing keel up close. I have a 95 C 250 WB and I am 6'0 tall. I do not sail with the pop top up but on occasion will motor with it up. You must stand though when using the tiller to see over it. There is also a sliding window that slides into the pop top which can be retracted when sailing. It does give some relief for crew down below. The only problem I have with the pop top hatch being closed is after a while it will wear on yout neck. I try not to make this an issue and consider it a minor issue. The boat itself more than enough overrides that issue. Just my two cents.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 08:15:31

Most pocket-cruiser sailors have to think of it this way: You sail in the cockpit--plenty of standing headroom. At the dock or on the hook, you stand in the cockpit, and you sit or lie in the cabin--plenty of sitting and sleeping headroom. Pop-tops help a little, but basically this is the price you pay for near-zero draft.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/28/2006 08:16:33

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 08:48:04

Like most 25' boats, the C250 is a weekender. It's designed to be occupied comfortably for short periods at a time. If you plan to stay on it for long periods of time, you'll want more headroom, but there are very few 25' boats that have full, standing headroom, and they're generally either very expensive, or they don't sail very well. The Catalina is a good compromise. If you design a 25' boat with a cabin that is high enough to provide standing headroom for a 6 footer, it will have a lot of windage, and tend to be top heavy.

Edited by - on

Gene DeMambro
1st Mate

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33 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2006 : 09:31:16

Thanks again for your advice. I will send him this link and let him read for himself. I appreciate the responses.

Gene

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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.