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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Difference in C25 Model Years

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ChrisS
Deckhand

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1 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:07:56

I am looking at a 1978 C25 that is in good condition. I recently had someone tell me to wait and look for a mid 80's boat. Assuming that both boats were in good condition, a 1978 versus a 1984, would there be practical reasons to choose a later model? I have looked at the price ranges for both and it is not an issue.

Thanks for your help!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:24:06

Chris,

Welcome to the forum.

Take a look at this article located in the Tech Tips section of this web site. It somewhat explains the rolling changes that Catalina made over the course of the C25. [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/summertm.asp"]Shopping for a C25[/url]

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:34:47

If I had it to do over again, I would certainly go for one with the fiberglass encased lead keel. When did that change happen? '83? '85?

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:47:09

I'm thinking the lead keel came to be around 1983.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 13:52:04

There have been major changes over the years. The fiberglass encased lead keel is a huge one, dedicated fuel locker in the cockpit instead of the sail locker is another, Windows can be a biggie, deck layout has changed as well. You will love any year you get. I have had an 82 and an 89 HUGE difference, including three inches more head room and a completely redesigned deck. Bottom line, Catalina kept responding to customer and market demands and the newer ones reflect those changes.
You can study my two boats on the pages in my sig.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 05/04/2007 13:52:34

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 15:27:30

To me, the two major items were the glass/lead keel (older fins are cast iron) and the cockpit fuel locker--I think both came in '83. Many other improvements can be replicated with simple upgrades--spreader sockets, rudder, stem fitting... The 88-89 is the pick of the litter--one of the nicest 25-footers ever made by anyone. But the improvements to that didn't mean as much to me as the two items above, and I happened to find a very nice '85 for a fair price. BTW, all swing keels are cast iron. Catalina replaced that with the fixed lead wing around... what... 1987?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/04/2007 15:36:19

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 15:56:57

Has anyone priced the wing keel kit lately?

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John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 16:58:11

My '82 has the cockpit fuel locker, but the cast iron keel. Drat the luck!

If I'd have only held out for an '83, might have got both.

Frank's right though, whatever year you get, you'll love it!

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 18:09:57

Our '81 had the cockpit fuel locker, too. CI keel

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 20:51:20

My 84 has both - it may not be the 'pick of the litter' but it sure is sweet!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 23:19:18

The dedicated fuel locker is real nice to have. My '75 C-22 did not. Another item to look for is if your boat of interest has the drain scuppers in the transom, rather than the 2 drains at the front of the cockpit. You want to avoid that. I have an '84 C-25 and I do enjoy it very much.
David

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 12:23:19

If you can find an '88-'90 at a price you can afford, go for it as they are really the best C-25 overall, but expect to pay anywhere from $16,000 to $22,000 for a boat with trailer. Next best is the '86 and newer boats, which you can identify by the flush-mount windows. These will spare you the nasty job of re-sealing the leaky aluminum frame windows of an older boat. These are generally about $9000 for a swing keel, $11000 for the more desirable wing keel. Third choice is the '81-'85 boats. These are identified by having two hatches on the portside cockpit seat - the aft hatch is the fuel locker mentioned above, which opens into the cockpit only, preventing fuel leaks from getting into the bilge. $6000~$8000 for one of these in decent condition (with a trailer). I would avoid boats older than this with the gas tank shelf in the lazarette unless you find one that's such a good deal you can't pass it up. Occasionally you will see one of these older C-25's that has been recently upgraded with new sails, balanced rudder, a new outboard, new standing and running rigging, new cabin windows, new upholstery, etc., for only $4000 with a trailer. That's a deal worth grabbing as long as the hull is sound and the deck core isn't dryrotted anywhere.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 16:22:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 If you can find an '88-'90 at a price you can afford, go for it as they are really the best C-25 overall, but expect to pay anywhere from $16,000 to $22,000 for a boat with trailer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
In your dreams!

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2007 : 18:47:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 If you can find an '88-'90 at a price you can afford, go for it as they are really the best C-25 overall, but expect to pay anywhere from $16,000 to $22,000 for a boat with trailer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
In your dreams!

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

C'mon, Dave...They cost that much because Catalina made the keels for those boats out of solid gold!

Edited by - on

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