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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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short offshore voyages

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Nauti Josh
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/18/2008 : 17:47:02

Has anyone sailed a 25 or a 250 offshore before? I'm looking to buy a 250 in about a year. One of the places I'd like to sail to would be from Florida to the Bahamas. I know the 250 isn't intended to be an offshore cruiser. However, the Bahamas aren't that far from Florida.

Joshua Dent - Central Florida

2006 JY15
next sailboat Catalina 250 W.K.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2008 : 18:08:31

We took our 2005 C250 WB to Bimini, was pretty horid weather (but I guess it will get better over time

)

If we were to take JD to the bahamas, it would have to be in a fleet and we would have to have several weeks of latitude in order to pick the best weather.

The Wing Keel is another matter, I'll let their owners chime in.

Welcome to the forum and looking forward to hearing your boat splash!

paul

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2008 : 18:27:01

The main issue is crossing the Gulf Stream--that's where you need a good weather window, although The Stream often literally makes its own weather. (You can see it from a distance.) What's really nasty is a N, NW, or NE wind, which opposes The Stream and creates vertical seas. I know people who've been "spanked" by that (meaning green water over the cabintop). You don't want to be in that in a C-250. But with some patience, you can get there and back. As Paul says, I wouldn't do it without some other boats.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2008 : 12:02:11

I've taken my C25 thousands of miles coastal and up to 50 miles offshore. The C250 water ballast is capable of a the trip you've outlined with a careful wait for weather. I've been all through the Bahamas in a larger vessel.

You will find lack of storage for food, water, dinghy, and fuel to be a more serious concern than stability at sea. The boat is best suited for a couple (will be way too small with a family on board).

Super low draft with the center board up means you can anchor just about anywhere and really get out of the weather.

I've seen Charlie sail his C250 WB in some pretty challenging conditions.

Make sure you're ready to reef, take care of the rudder and make sure you have a way to keep the centerboard from banging while at anchor.

Edited by - on

Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2008 : 12:23:54

We took our C25 to the Abacos in May this year. The link is video taken of our crossing back to Florida. We would have had better conditions if we would have waited 12-24 hrs. The other boat in the video is a South Coast 23, a very wet ride. We were trying to make some Southing during this video, after dark we turned West into the stream with some waves in the 8-10 foot range, it was a very long night.

About as rough as I would want to see in a C25. The boat could have taken more but I was totally wiped out after being at the helm all night.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ymn4B9Z9oFE

Edited by - Doug C. on 10/21/2008 12:25:04

Scumbucket
1st Mate

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USA
53 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2008 : 12:43:17

Doug, that was a nice video of the sea conditions on your trip.

I enjoyed it!

Thanks!

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2008 : 20:33:42

Great video Doug, That looks like "Uncle Jerry" in the SC.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2008 : 22:17:15

For lake sailors, Doug's video appears to be 2-4' seas, mostly on the beam--watch the horizon to see how much he's rolling and why his Admiral is comparing it to a "washing machine". (Applause to her for laughing about it!) In 8-10 (as later that night in The Stream), he wouldn't be able to see that other boat most of the time--not even the top of its mast. That's when you feel like you're in more of a psychotic elevator than a washing machine. I'm sure Great Adventure has some representative simulations--I'm not into that stuff.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/21/2008 22:20:09

BengeB
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2008 : 08:17:37

Thanks for the video.

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Doug C.
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2008 : 10:17:55

Yes Tom that is Jerry in Vintage II. Later that night he donated his dinghy to the sea gods.

Edited by - Doug C. on 10/22/2008 10:49:34

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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.