Association Forum - Looking at purchasing a Catalina 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

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Looking at purchasing a Catalina 25

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

mremington
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
1 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/06/2007 : 13:39:33

I am looking at purchasing a 1986 Catalina 25. It looks like it's in good condition, but it's in the water (fresh) so I can't really check the bottom. The price is $6k so I don't really want to pay for a survey. Some questions. . .

1. What major problems have you had with your Catalina 25?
2. Is this boat known for blistering?
3. What problems does a swing keel pose?
4. Does $6k sound like a reasonable price?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2007 : 15:20:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mremington
 Does $6k sound like a reasonable price?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A quick search on YachtWorld for 85' to 87' C25's yielded 11 boats, ten of them in the 7k-12k range. So from that sampling, 6K doesn't sound unreasonable.

25' Catalina 1985 12,871
25' Catalina 1986 9,995
25' Catalina 1986 9,500
25' Catalina 1986 9,000
25' Catalina 1986 8,900
25' Catalina 1987 8,500
25' Catalina 1986 8,000
25' Catalina 1986 7,900
25' Catalina 1986 7,900
25' Catalina 1985 7,000
25' Catalina 1985 1,000

Anybody need parts...

[url="http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatDetails.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet¤cyid=100&boat_id=1655395&checked_boats=1655395&back=%2Fcore%2Flisting%2Fcache%2FsearchResults.jsp%3Fblc%3D2766%26yrc%3D7326%26manc%3D1632%26fromYear%3D1985%26type%3D%2BSail%2B%26uom%3D126%26currency%3DUSD%26units%3DFeet%26duom%3D126%26sm%3D3%26wuom%3D126%26toYear%3D1987%26ywbtc%3D26193%26toLength%3D25%26currencyid%3D100%26currencyid%3D100%26luom%3D126%26ps%3D100%26ps%3D100%26fromLength%3D25%26man%3Dcatalina%26slim%3Dquick%26so%3D4%26searchPage%3D%252Flisting%252Fcache%252Fboats_for_sale_qs.jsp&searchtype="]C25 for $1,000.00[/url]

Edited by - dlucier on 04/06/2007 17:19:24

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
5937 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2007 : 16:10:49

I had a C25 for about 23 years, and don't think there are any significant problems that are unique to the boat. As is true with most boats, most of the problems you'll find with a used C25 are related to poor maintenance, rather than poor design or construction. Catalina designs their boats so that almost anything that can go bad can be repaired, if you're willing to do the work, and you can still get many new parts from the factory or from Catalina Direct. There's a high likelihood that someone on this forum has repaired almost anything that needs repair, and can tell you how to do it.

Blisters were a problem that virtually every production boat builder in the industry experienced during the period from about 1984-1989. My 1981 boat never had a blister problem. Some boats built during that period had awful blister problems, and some had little or no problems. You just have to check out the individual boat.

All three types of keel perform well, but the wing doesn't point quite as well as the others, although it has other advantages, such as shallow draft and ease of launching. The swing keel requires careful maintenance, especially in salt water. It is basically a 1500# piece of cast iron suspended by a steel pin and a steel cable. If the cable breaks while the keel is retracted, it can drop suddenly and tear a hole in the bottom of the boat. If the mechanism is maintained properly, there's no reason why that should happen. There are a lot of swinger owners on this forum, and they love their boats, but they maintain them carefully. My boat wasn't a swinger, but maintenance of the mechanism doesn't seem to be a big job.

One of our members wrote a paper on how to evaluate the condition of a Catalina 25, and posted it in our "Tech Tips." You can find it by clicking on the following hyperlink:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/summert2.asp

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2007 : 16:16:16

Offer at least $350 less, and then spend that on a survey. It'll be worth every penny. First, do you know whether the deck core is dry? Do you know if there were any repairs to the hull? Do you know whether the standing rigging and chainplates are sound? Has the keel caused any damage to the front of the keel trunk? Are there significant blisters? (That vintage Catalina used the newer resins that reduce blistering, but blisters are more common in fresh water than salt.) What is the condition of the swing keel cable and pivot components? (That's 1500 lbs. that's swinging around.)

Even if everything checks out, the survey will give you some peace of mind and a list of things to do, with priorities, and is required by many insurers. Plus, you can watch the entire process and ask questions--most surveyors encourage that.

Best of luck--and report back to us!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2007 : 16:30:26

I agree with having the boat surveyed, especially if you're not familiar with boat. Folks who are trying to sell a boat are trying to do just that. The majority of them are honest people, but if you don't know them, how can you be sure they're telling you the whole story? Or for that matter even know the whole story. For all you know, they haven't had it hauled in years, and aren't aware the keel cable is ready to go, so to them the boat is good. But to you all you're buying is a headache.

If you do want to forgo the survey, I highly recommend reading Don Casey's "[url="http://www.amazon.com/Inspecting-Sailboat-International-Marine-Library/dp/0071445455"]Inspecting the aging sailboat[/url]". Probably the best $10 or so I've spent in a long time. We looked at close to three dozen boats over a year of searching, and after reading the book, I quickly learned which ones to simply walk away from and which ones to consider. If nothing else make sure you can see the bottom before you buy it. From Don's book, paraphrased, "if the hull is in good condition, the rest of the boat is probably salvageable".

Good luck, and welcome to the forum,

Edited by - delliottg on 04/06/2007 16:38:42

Jmurfy
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
176 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2007 : 18:21:06

I purchased my 85 Catalina 25 with fin and standard rig 2 years ago for $7000.00. The asking price was $7900.00. I didnt get a survey and the boat was in the water (in Michigan) when I looked and purchased it. Since this was my 1st boat ever of course I didnt really know what to look for but did get lucky. The only problems I had that 1st year was a broken forestay (due to halyard wrap) and a bad motor mount board.(The old plywood type) I almost lost the motor on the way over to Chicago.
In retrospect I should have purchased a survey. I still would have bought the boat and I am happy with it but that little bit of insurance is worth every penny when I think about the kind of problems the boat could have had.

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

Members Avatar

199 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2007 : 08:24:50

I agree with having a marine survey done by a reputable surveyor. I submitted the survey documentation when I first got boat insurance. Very helpful. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.

Edited by - on

Daren
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
81 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 15:22:01

I agree. As survey is a great idea, but they are not cheap. I paid $375 for the survey and $125 for the haul out of my 1986 C25 (fixed keel with i/b 15 hp disel engine. Here is a link to help you find a qualified marine surveyor:

http://www.marinesurvey.org/members.html

Also, btw, Boat US (and some insurers) will not insure your boat without a survey report.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 16:04:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mremington
 ...The price is $6k so I don't really want to pay for a survey....<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">In my probably not so humble opinion, the asking price has almost nothing to do with the advisability of getting a survey. I'd say any 25' boat should be surveyed. And I agree you should first read at least one book on surveying before you even research local surveyors. I would suggest you give the surveyor a copy of the how to evaluate a Catalina 25 paper Steve mentioned, and do so well before the day of the survey so he has time to study it.

Let the surveyor know in advance what you plan to do with the results of the survey. Purchase decision? Repair estimate? (Surveyors don't estimate, they evaluate. Taking the survey to a repair service helps in getting an accurate estimate.) Insurance coverage survey? Seaworthiness survey? Market value survey? Any combination is fine too, just be sure he knows what you want from him.

And be sure you're there during the entire survey asking questions and taking notes. If a $300 survey causes you to walk away from a boat, it's the best $300 you could have spent on that boat.

-- Leon S.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 16:49:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mremington
 I am looking at purchasing a 1986 Catalina 25. It looks like it's in good condition, but it's in the water (fresh) so I can't really check the bottom. The price is $6k so I don't really want to pay for a survey. Some questions. . .

1. What major problems have you had with your Catalina 25?
2. Is this boat known for blistering?
3. What problems does a swing keel pose?
4. Does $6k sound like a reasonable price?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You might see if Derek can look at it for you. Is it on Canyon Lake? I am from Kansas and am not on the survey bandwagon. One we don't have anyone to do it and two our boats tend to be in better structural shape than those on the coasts. Point one, you and I know what it is like to sail in over 100 degree weather. Our decks bake out all summer and I have never seen any deck rot on any local boats, I suspect it is rare where you are as well. If the boat is in the water and is dry, (and it should be) then you have no hull issues other than possible blisters. Structurally threatening blisters are very rare and small blisters are not worth repairing on our boats, paint it and go sailing. I would spend the survey money to have the swing keel hardware replaced for the sake of piece of mind. The cable and even a new wench is pud but that pin is a serious event. If you have anyone who has done it before either get their help or pay them to do it. If the rigging is original it should be replaced regardless.
As for the price, to me that is a fair price for a good boat without a trailer.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 16:56:53

I just had a survey on a new boat, prior to that I owned a 1978 c25. The 20 bucks a foot was well worth it. He didn't find much wrong with the boat, but did note areas to watch, to maintain and pointed out some stuff that I really think might have never been touched because we wouldn't have even known to look.

The price you list looks very reasonable. Look here in our swap meet section and shop around.

dw

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2007 : 22:32:54

Mark - is the boat at Canyon Lake? If so, which marina and which slip?
If you need a surveyor the best local one is Joe Curry (he used to own a Catalina 28). I don't have his phone number but I'm sure that the marina office could find it for you.
I hope to see you on the lake!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2007 : 09:17:09

BTW, I don't think we know it's a swing keel... If not, 3-4 issues are eliminated. As for the survey, every boat requires liability insurance (unless you're Bill Gates) and most insurance carriers require a survey on a 20+ year-old boat. Frank is comfortable looking at a boat by himself--I was not--this was my first cruiser, and I found the mostly positive survey to be worth every penny--especially as I listened and asked questions (with clipboard) the whole time. The folks who bought her from me (downsizing from a 35' Irwin) looked at what I'd done and wrote me a check on the spot. Go figger...

Are you still here, Mark? What's happening??

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/01/2007 09:20:23

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.