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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

what to expect?

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Walt Oler
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/23/2008 : 21:01:24

We have our new (to us) C25 in Corpus Christi Tx but have not sailed it yet. Our previous experience is lake sailing with a Buccaneer 18. Kathy took the ASA101 course out of Kemah Tx several years ago. We will be back in Corpus in a couple of weeks for our first outing. Any suggestions on how to start and what to expect?

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Jefffriday
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 21:40:50

When I took Infinity out for the first time, having never sailed anything but dingy's, I spent an hour just practicing docking and maneuvering with the motor. I used a buoy on the lake for reference. The momentum of the 25 was a bit of a surprise, perhaps the off center outboard contributes but I was glad to have the dynamics down before heading into the slip the first time. After that, I went sailing, and the some more sailing. These are great boats, and very forgiving (I should have been bitten several times by now, but the boat has come through every time) Try sailing with just the foresail, and then the main, just to know how it sails if you get stuck. Good luck and have fun, you will love it.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 13:20:04

Spend time at the dock inspecting and learning the lines, sheaves, controls, PFDs, first aid kit and other systems; communications, power, fuel, water etc...for the first time out, mild winds would be an advantage - other than that ENJOY!

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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 17:18:46

We moved up from a Prec 21, probably similar to your Buccaneer. As mentioned above, I noticed the extra momentum of the heavier boat especially approaching the dock. It was less responsive to rudder control under power, so takes a little more planning ahead. You get used to it, of course just go slow. The C25 was the first time I felt a need to use the winches. Our smaller boats we trimmed mostly by hand, even if the sheet was wrapped on thewinch. Under sail it has more of a big boat feel which I really like. I also noticed if you get over powered with the C25 and you release the main, it's not as quick to recover compared to our smaller boat which would pop back up. Part of that may be just the heavier boat recovers slower, but also maybe the relatively smaller main compared to genoa (?). Anyway,you will enjoy this boat. It's a perfect step up without a lot more maintenance.

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 18:20:25

I find that backing up with the engine tiller and the boat's tiller gives pretty good control.
Good recomendation to play around with the boat and the engine so you have a better feel when docking. I would recommend getting used to putting the engine in reverse and seeing what it's like to change direction.
I usually back into my slip and if my admiral (wifey) is with me she hops off onto the dock with the bow or spring-line

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 18:40:32

What to expect?
Repairs on plumbing systems, electrical systems, fiberglass above and below the waterline, and upgrades on sails, outboard, standing rigging, running rigging, ground tackle, brightwork, old topsides, and interior parts that might have been manufactured before you were born.

How to begin?
Head out with some old salt in your marina or a friend with experience in a bigger boat, who can complain about how badly the various parts function underway, and then who can say things are actually pretty good, and finally admit that you got a great deal on an old boat, while showing you all kinds of stuff on how the bigger boat sails.

Lots of fun, starting out! You'll love sitting against the leeward coaming watching the waves rush by as you steer with your leg!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2008 : 22:19:50

You already know how to sail--now you're sailing a boat that essentially can't tip over!

As mentioned, the biggest difference is maneuvering this hunk around a dock. A few suggestions:

1. Never approach a dock any faster than you're willing to hit it. But generally try to approach up-wind or up-current for easier control.

2. Be aware of the effects of "prop walk". When you gun the engine a little with the boat standing still or moving very slowly, in reverse the prop will pull the stern to port, and in forward it will push the stern to starboard. The net is it will tend to turn the boat to port in either direction. It does make a difference around a dock or slip. Coasting or running at low power minimizes this effect.

3. Learn how to use a spring-line to pull yourself into a dock, and how to use the engine to hold you against the spring-line as you set or release your other dock lines. Mid-ship cleats are great for this--you can buy some that fit on your genoa tracks. You can "Search" for threads on this technique on the General forum, and read about it in various books like Chapman.

With your background, it'll be a piece of cake! Enjoy!

Edited by - on

Walt Oler
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2008 : 07:49:39

We have been concerned about the docking. We had several choices of slips so we picked one that was near the end of a dock on the side that allowed docking into the the prevailing wind, essentially south.

We also followed the discussion on the Nauti Duck Dock-A-Matic line (http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15645) and are planning to follow that procedure. The dock is fixed with finger piers that separate pairs of slips and extend less than half the length of the boat. Pilings separate the slips at the entrance with lines extending to the dock separating the two slips. So, we board over the life lines at the bow for now. Backing into the slip would be better. Is it better to steer with the motor tiller when backing? What about a link between the rudder and motor like the Suzy Q - Engine Steering system in the Technical Tips? http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/sqengstr.asp

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2008 : 08:32:10

"what to expect?"

Expect having a good time.

The C25 is an easy boat to sail. It really has no bad manners, very predictable.
Start with the main only, get comfortable, then add the jib.

If you learn to steer with both the outboard and tiller, docking is easy, even in very 'tight' spots.

The amenities on the C25 will seem like the Queen Mary compared to your old boat. Anchoring out and relaxing is a joy.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2008 : 08:43:58

I'll suggest going forward into the slip until you're comfortable maneuvering the boat. Backing is easy, but a little less forgiving. (A "crunch" could be a little more serious!) You can handle the tiller and engine together--I did when backing into our <i>very</i> tight slip... But most of the time you just want the engine centered, and to steer with the rudder. A link is overkill IMHO.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/26/2008 08:44:31

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2008 : 09:53:57

When I took a sailing lesson on a Hunter 28 from a licensed captain prior to a trip to Florida where we intended to charter a sailboat for a day (wanted a 25 footer but ended up with a Hunter 23), the captain had me driving the boat in reverse back and forth around the marina for about 20 minutes and practiced backing into the slip to get the feel of the boat's prop walk. It was a good lesson. Practice driving your boat in reverse around your marina, or an open area in your cove. You could even make a buoy with an empty milk jug, small line and a weight, drop it in the cove, and practice backing up to it. Make 2 buoys and practice driving in reverse between them until you can do it without hitting either one.

Edited by - dmpilc on 11/26/2008 09:54:42

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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.