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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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If you were buying again what year would you want

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John Pittman
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/14/2007 : 15:07:54

Hello,

I sail primarily on Lake Tahoe.
In drought years the depth in the marina gets as low as 3'.
If you were buying your first 25 what year would you look for?
Is there any year where substantial changes were made to cabin and deck layout.
I am thinking a swinger in the late 80's.
I have found that though I love sailing I tend to think of the passage as a way to get to my favorite anchorages.
But don't get me wrong I love to sail single-handed and really enjoy the challenge of handling a boat on my own.
Also I only have a budget of 10,000 max.
What do you all think if you were buying your first 25........

John

johnnyp

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2007 : 17:55:18

John,

I'm hoping to close on my first C25 tomorrow so I'm no expert on the subject. It's an '89 Standard Rig/Wing Keel.

I believe the '86, '88, and '89 were the years that improvements in the design were incorporated. I believe '87 was the last year they made the swing keel. Frank Hopper can clarify this info. After that you had a choice of a fixed keel or wing keel. From what several others on this forum have told me the '89 is the cream of the crop although any year model is better than nothing.

Depending on where you live you should be able to get an '87 or '88 for less than $10K.

GaryB

Edited by - GaryB on 10/14/2007 22:06:43

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2007 : 22:27:24

Ya not sure what year all the changes took place. I did all that research when I got my mine. Check out what year water ballast was introduced. 3' huh, you are certainly limited. I had a 22' swing keel many years ago. It was a great boat. Good luck. Keep us posted.

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gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2007 : 23:20:31

1989

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 11:38:58

Positive changes occurred many times--one of the most important, IMHO, was in the early '80s when the cockpit fuel locker was added (getting the fuel out the "dumpster", as discussed in other threads). The '89-90 vintages were the final evolution, where, among other things, the interior sole was modified to take advantage of the disappearance of the swing keel trunk--flattening the sole and giving more headroom. The deck, sternrail, and some rigging details were also modified. Thus, the '89-90 vintage is unarguably the best unless you are adamant about having a swing keel. (The wing draws only a couple of inches more than the fully-raised swing, but doesn't perform to weather as well as the lowered wing.) They made very few boats in 1990--that was when Catalina apparently decided the C-25 was too costly and heavy to compete against the lighter water-ballasted boats from Hunter and MacGreggor as an entry-level, trailerable cruiser. It was also the time many close competitors such as O'Day and Cal went belly-up.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/15/2007 11:41:23

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 17:40:39

I was on an '89 SR/WK this afternoon and we were averaging 5.7 knots on the GPS in 10-15 winds without really trimming for maximum speed.

GaryB
Clear Lake, TX
New Owner of "La Fawnduh" '89 SR/WK #5862

Edited by - GaryB on 10/15/2007 17:42:27

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 17:57:34

Congrats Gary! You're gonna love her!

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2007 : 18:12:55

My 1981 SR/SK was owned and sailed on Lake Tahoe for the first ~18 years of its existance.
When I did a complete bottom job last year, it was apparent that the owner took good care of it, or was a good sailor or didn't sail it very much - because there were very few minor blemishes. I think that the main sail is the original. And/Or ...Lake Tahoe is a good place to sail a swinger. I have a friend with a 1980 C22 Swing Keel on Lake Tahoe. They dry sail it (launch from their own trailer). They've owned it for about ten years.

If I were to buy another C25 for lake use, I would likely get another swinger, probably a late 80's model.
I love the pop-top. I like the swing keel. I could use a little more headroom - hence my agreement with you, that you've identified the models that are the best of the best.

I've looked at a lot of other 22-25' boats and still think that the Catalinas are the way to go. If I did a lot of long distance trailering, I would probably go with a C250 waterballast SK because of the weight and the ability to use a smaller tow vehicle.
We've owned this boat for 3 seasons, and we are unlikely to part with it.
We most often use our sailboat as our cottage on the lake. We sail it from our mooring ball to our favorite anchorages. Occasionally we just sail it for the pure joy of sailing.

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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.