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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

We found our gem of a C-25

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Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/16/2008 : 22:12:28

Well, it's done. We found a real gem in an 82, SR/SK that has apparently seen very little time in the water. Survey today was superb. It is in remarkable condition for its age, and it appears that is purely due to spending much of the time on a trailer or on stands in a yard, though this is speculation.

We spent the day crawling all over her (she's still on stands on the hard) and had absolutely no reservations. We've looked at quite a few boats that we could have talked ourselves into despite certain reservations, but that is not the case here. We are very pleased.

Now, as we delve into making her our own and modifying this and that we will certainly be posting with questions, and very much appreciate the resources available to Catalina owners.

Liz
Richmond, VA

Sea Monkey
82 SK/SR #3054

Edited by - Stellaluna on 08/17/2008 12:26:21

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2008 : 22:21:52

Liz,
Congratulations on your new boat! I'm glad things worked out for you so well.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2008 : 22:35:13

As many told me when I was looking for my boat, you will know it in your heart when it's the right boat and as I said before "If it's meant to be it will happen easily!

Sounds like it was meant to be! Congratulations on finding your boat!!!

Now we need pictures!

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2008 : 22:35:51

P.S. Her name is "Sea Monkey"

Edited by - on

Kendall
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2008 : 23:46:24

Good for You! Now, whats the sail number? And how soon can you get us pictures of "Sea Monkey?"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 10:14:44

Good work! Now for a mere .32 Boat Units you can really seal the deal:

1. Association membership: $22

2. C-25 Owner's Handbood from [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/"]Catalina Direct[/url]: $10

Welcome to the community! (...from an alumnus.

)

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 10:41:41

Sail #3054. I will post pics when we put her in the water in the next week or two. She's three hours away now, and we will be sailing her about 100 miles down to the marina where we will keep her, which is only an hour from home. I can't wait for that trip!

We are changing the name, so we gotta get the old letters off and christen her. Her old name was "Scots' Quair," which is a Scottish literary trilogy, I believe, but unfortunately, it sounds like someone commenting on a fellow named Scott's, ummm, orientation or lifestyle choice.....

We need to replace the running rigging, which has been sitting in the sun as is for years (the owner already purchased all of the line to accomplish this), and grease up the steering wheel assembly, which is a bit sticky. The traveler was moved forward when they installed the steering wheel, to right in front of the companionway, which I thought was going to be in the way and a trip hazard, but it is only a few inches higher than the step you take to go below, so it is not a problem at all. This opinion may change when we are under sail. We can easily convert her back to tiller steering, though.

The teak rails and crib boards need to be stripped and refinished, but that is low priority at the moment. The wood inside looks great. There is no evidence anywhere that the portlights, forward hatch or poptop has ever leaked, which I find remarkable for a boat of this vintage. They had a very heavy rainstorm a day or two ago, and there is not a bit of moisture below. The cushions are in remarkable shape, though they are the typical bumpy brown plaid that we are all familiar with, which will need to be re-covered someday. We'll need to replace the sail cover, wheel cover, etc., as they are faded from the sun, stitching coming apart, and the cloth is getting holey, but we can use what we have as a pattern.

BTW, Kendall, I lived for 9 years on Palmway in Lake Worth, near the golf course and the ICW bridge. I miss it terribly!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 11:15:53

I suspect you'll find that the mid-boom sheeting and cockpit traveler are convenient, comfortable, and perform better than the stock setup, which is barely a traveler IMHO. The downside (for some) is it's class-illegal, and probably affects a PHRF rating as well. I could never feature a wheel in a C-25 cockpit, and prefer a tiller, but different strokes...

We "delivered" our C-25 about 90 miles down the CT shore, with three overnights (two extras because of weather). Unforgettable--for good reasons and not so good.

Fair winds!

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 11:34:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 The downside (for some) is it's class-illegal, and probably affects a PHRF rating as well. I could never feature a wheel in a C-25 cockpit, and prefer a tiller, but different strokes...

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

I would not have made this modification myself, but given the overall condition of the boat and the extremely economical price we are accepting of the mod at this point. As we sail her we may decide we can't abide it, as you can't really squeeze past it on each side, and that might get old.

We are using this boat for recreational purposes only, get back out on the water and teach our kids to sail, so there will be no racing for us on this craft.

We are prepared for some hardship when we move her, but that is part of the fun of the trip, at least for us. It will be an adventure. I tend to be a pessimist, since if you expect the worst you are never disappointed....

I'm just ready to break away from the mundane of working during the week and doing chores on the weekends. We really wanna go sailing and it has been too long.

Edit: Any tips anyone might have on provisioning, etc., when we move her would be appreciated! I married a "boy scout" and together we are extremely capable, with decent experience, but are open to advice. There is a nifty Chesapeake Bay gunkholing guide that I've ordered, which will hopefully be useful in addition to the charts we have.

Edited by - Stellaluna on 08/17/2008 11:41:54

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 12:13:37

Where will you be going from and to?

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 12:16:32

We will be going from Middle River, Maryland to Kinsale, Virginia, which is up the Yeocomico River, off the Chesapeake.

Edited by - on

Kendall
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 13:56:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stellaluna
 BTW, Kendall, I lived for 9 years on Palmway in Lake Worth, near the golf course and the ICW bridge. I miss it terribly! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">And I miss Brooklyn.

Not to start the whole tiller/wheel debate, but Id love to see what a wheel steering 25 even looks like. Maybe you can put a quick release on you wheel to open up the cockpit, like on Arlyn Stewart's 250

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 19:16:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Maybe you can put a quick release on you wheel to open up the cockpit, like on Arlyn Stewart's 250
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That may be what we need to do. Hubby went up there today and here is a pic of the wheel (don't mind the dirt - it's been in the yard for 3 yrs!) Note the old Johnson gear box that we will try on our OB, but we are not sure if it will work.

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 19:18:58

Here is a pic of the boat, not that you don't already know what it looks like! (again, that name has to GO)

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 19:27:54

Here's a pic of the V-berth. Note great condition of accordion door (there are two) and the good condition of the paneling and cushions. That is a string hanging down up inside the berth, not a stain or a crack.

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 19:41:21

This is how the table attaches out of the way - is that pedestal (too low for table support) the trunk for the keel? I did not think the keel went that far up into the boat when raised. (the pic is not rotated on Photobucket - don't know why it is like that - sorry!)

Edited by - Stellaluna on 08/17/2008 19:42:04

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 19:48:41

Here is a view of the galley. Messy, but I'll take care of that! No stove, but we have one.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 20:54:18

>"I did not think the keel went that far up into the boat when raised"

The 'head' of the keel swings well up into the boat when the keel is fully lowered. A tight fit between the keel head and the forward part of the keel trunk recess (inside that box) is what stabilizes the keel in the side-to side plane. Underneath the floor is the rest of the keel recess... which is not nearly as deep. The back of the swing keel tucks into it when fully raised.

Nice looking boat... hope you have many years of fun with her.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 09:36:24

Looks good! You won't miss the factory stove ("curtain burner")--it was the first thing to go on ours.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 19:59:55

Boat looks great. Looks like someone took good care of it.
Congratualtions

BTW - Scots Quair is a name that any Scot would(or should) be proud of. Not sure what connotation you read into it, but what I know (Scottish Ancestry living in a town founded by Scots...Calgary is named after a bay in Scotland) is that it is a book (trilogy) that details the lives and times of a brave Scottish woman and her son.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 20:27:33

It looks like the table leg is missing and isn't the table stored upside down?

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 21:40:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Frank Hopper
 It looks like the table leg is missing and isn't the table stored upside down?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank, you are a most alert forum member - so to answer your question, No, and Yes! The table leg is stowed, and the table IS upside down. I am not sure why it is like that, because it is VERY awkward (you have to take it out and flip it around to assemble it) but it is rigged up this way and it is the only way it can be secured. The leg with the peg for the floor is stowed nearby.

This is one great reason for joining this forum - I can get advice on how to switch this table stowing mechanism to a more practical configuration!

Stampeder, my husband and I both have Celtic ancestry so we are not a bit bothered (and it is even more than appropriate) by a boat name of this kind, but when we are talking amongst ourselves about the boat, it sounds like people are saying: "Scott's queer" (a contraction of Scott is queer), like making a statement about what kind of life partner Scott has chosen. It is purely how it sounds to the ear when spoken in casual conversation, and the more we heard it the more we decided we had to change it. Too much confusion! It is clever and meaningful, even obscure, which I love as a literary person, but we found ourselves having to explain it too often - a good reason to change it, IMO.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2008 : 00:19:54

Can't disagree with that.

Maybe that's why we chose a Spanish name when we renamed our boat.

Edited by - on

Jay Schkloven
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2008 : 09:57:04

The boat looks great. Check the swing keel cable to make sure it is in good shape before your trip. Also check the winch to make sure it holds the keel and is not too rusty. The replacement of both of these items, if they have been well used, is the first updating that needs to be done. Also order and replace the turning ball on the keel equipment. This is a quick update with two people. One person can do it but the extra hands and welcome.

Edited by - on

Stellaluna
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2008 : 10:09:42

Thanks, Jay. When we looked at this boat, we had just come off a trial on another C-25 and I was quite horrified (I was on keel winch duty - we were sailing in water with some shallow spots) to watch giant chunks of winch hub crumbling away with every turn of the handle. This was one of the first things I looked at when we examined Sea Monkey.

It appears that she has been sailed very little, and only in fresh, so everything is pretty shiny still. She's spent much of her life on jack stands and in a slip. However, the cable will probably need to be replaced next season just because of its age. We will be sailing in brackish/salt, so we'll be paying close attention to this issue.

I will look into the turning ball, and do that at the same time. I appreciate the recommendation!

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2008 : 17:09:19

Congrats on the new boat. Enjoy.

One of the first things I did when I bought my Cat 25 last Sept was to replace the original gate valve and thruhull. The original thruhull is glassed into the hull. Now I have one that is made of bronze and bolted through the hull. The gate valve does not indicate when the valve is open or closed. Having a valve that has a handle provides one an indication of the position of the valve. It is good practice to open and close the valve as well.

My boat was a 78, I am not sure the type of valve and thruhull your boat has, but it's something to consider if you are thinking about modifications. Just a thought.

My boat cushions look very simular to your boat's cushions.

Research this site and you will learn much; as I did when I joined.

Happy Sailing.
Deric

Edited by - on

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