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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Strictly Sail Miami - review

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/14/2009 : 06:32:53

Great show!

The Catalina exhibit had the 250 and I looked carefully at the exterior (Peggy looked around inside)

They have a new mast gate system. A metal rod (3/8" dia probably) that fits inside the sail grove. It has a thumbscrew through it and into the threaded hole of the mast. Partially unscrewing that releases the rod so that it can slide up and down the sail groove, slide it down and the gate is open. Slide it up and tighten the screw into the thread of the mast and the gate is closed.

Very neat, no more putting the big stainless thumbscrew in the pocket while removing the sail (and hence not finding out that you left it on the kitchen counter at home when you get to the marina!)

Took a good look at the 350 and 375 (nothing at the show between the 250 and 350)

Very nice boats. I was surprised that the sales team had not paid more attention to the condition inside. The fridge handle was corroded and the oven looked as though it had been wiped out with a muddy rag. Surely the sales team knows that potential boat buyers will lift the lids, open the doors, look inside the lockers! They had the vang upside down, not as knowledgeable about the boat as Jerry Butz from Boaters Exchange.
The anchor locker is still hinged on the stbd side which looks as though it will only just catch on the furler line. The new spar company does a nice job, the halyards exits are now softened with a no moving parts 'flange' (?)

Also took a look at hunter and beneteau. Quite impressed by the hunter 360 some very nice features. One in particular is the cover over the mast to deck electrical connections. Wish I had something like that on my 250.

Prices were pretty good! The beneteau 31 boat show model was $110,000 and was in gorgeous condition. Included full bimini and dodger made to measure. No backstay rig.

Catalina 350 - $166,740 plus (you know you would buy upgrades)
Catalina 375 - $185,000 plus (ditto)

The strictly sail vendor tent was 'ok'. I got a pair of fouley pants to match my Gill jacket, and Peggy got some tech ice in her search for the 5 day cooler (for real!) issue.

We went over to the Miami Convention center (free shuttle bus) and you would not know that there was a financial crisis. The vendor area is split up to several halls as well as being sprinkled around the main display hall. Much more vendor stuff for those visiting the power boat domain.

Did see the Maxxon dinghy 7'6" looked very nice, would compare to Caribe, normally $999(they say) boatshow special $445.. I wanted one. Actually had the cash in pocked to buy one! The sales guy was hopeless! I mean really hopeless! In Miami, did not have a good grasp of English (perhaps he spoke Spanish, couldn't tell as he had a very oriental accent) and when asked if he would tell us more about the dinghy he gave up! I asked could we take one with us now?and did not get a reply. I asked about the material and he did know the layers and they are UV protected.

We didn't buy one simply because we felt uncomfortable with the sales guy. The weekend is not over yet!

Saw some awesome led units that were dimmable and very bright. They did pull 1.8amps (~2watts) compared to the 15watt filament lamp in place right now. $39. My only concern was they were toooo bright! They literally hurt my eyes, might be ok as replacements for the covered lamps elsewhere in the boat(would need minor mod to make them fit festoon fittings)

We probably saw more of the show this year than previous years, and Peggy (gotta love her!) took a lot of interest in the bigger boats.

Now if only they had a show for Used sailboats

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2009 : 10:20:55

Maybe that dinghy "salesman" was just a setup helper covering while the real salesman was in the men's room or getting some food (or checking the competition). You can probably get your answers on the web... If they're good, the deal sounds very good.

That mast gate system... It sounds like once it's in place, the slugs can't drop below the level of the gate (opening), as you would want for reefing--or am I misunderstanding? It sounds a little like an ordinary track-stop, with the addition of a threaded hole inside the groove (?)

Did the Bendy-Toy have a molded head-liner like the Catalinas, or fabric glued to the inside of the cabin-deck molding? Historically, that's been one of the ways they've kept their prices down--a real compromise in my book, and a b!+(# to repair or replace. (Of course, my "pot" has no inner head-liner at all... Everything is a compromise.

)

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2009 : 10:46:28

I'm envious of those atttending the "Strictly Sail" shows around the country. Today is the beginning of the Detroit Boat Show. In a newspaper article the other day, they mentioned there would be no sailboats this year (no real surprise there). Every year I get free tickets from someone at work, including this year, but I still have a hard time deciding whether or not to go.

Yeah, that does sound like a fancy sail stop. I think I'd prefer mast gates over a jackline setup.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2009 : 11:42:17

The Providence show had no sailboats (except for the sailing rig on a Hobie kayak), and almost no gear vendors--that was the big surprise. It looks like the industry is hunkered down for a big storm.

Edited by - on

Kendall
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2009 : 19:44:51

One of the only picture I took. Full review tomorrow. If im not feeling lazy, which I probably will be.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 11:23:54

That's just a track-stop, which keeps the slugs from sliding all the way down to the gooseneck--the optimal place for reefing. Catalina Direct's mast gates cover the opening but allow the slugs to drop all the way down.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 12:37:07

Thanks Dave 'Track stop' it is.

In our case, the track stop is preferred as a mast gate would have to be removed in order to take the boom (with sail) off the boat for trailering.

Sooooo, what are those two hooks shown in Kendall's pic???

Paul

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 14:54:48

Reef tack hooks.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 16:02:25

Possibly our association in concert with other Catalina owners associations should make a STRONG suggestion to have a "Strictly Sail" show in the northeast or at least get some sailboat representation at other regional shows. To the best of my knowledge, the only Strictly Sail shows are in Chicago and Miami -- didn't the Baltimore show go away? And nothing in SoCal or the Northeast.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 16:24:35

Up here, Newport is THE show (like Annapolis, but power and sail all together at the same time). It's worth the trip (especially from my place).

"Strictly" is in Oakland in mid-April.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/15/2009 16:27:41

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 17:26:56

Trouble with a track stop instead of a mast gate is that it makes reefing less effective. The track stop holds the sail further above the boom. With a mast gate the slugs and main can slide all the way down.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/15/2009 17:27:26

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 17:45:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Trouble with a track stop instead of a mast gate is that it makes reefing less effective. The track stop holds the sail further above the boom. With a mast gate the slugs and main can slide all the way down.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Unless one uses a jackline.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2009 : 22:14:05

Total hyjack... but I'm suspecting that depending on the spacing of the slugs, the reef tack might be able to reach down to one of those hooks even if the slugs are held up by the stopper. If so, then the reef is clean--the foot tension is straight along the boom as is should be. The downside to the hooks is you have to go to the mast to use them.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/15/2009 22:15:45

hogitz
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2009 : 20:42:27

The Lats and Ats Party was Great Free Pizza and Beer and Great Music
whats not to love.

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