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Cat25wannab
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/14/2002 : 12:55:36

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a 1980 C-25. Of course I will have the boat professionally surveyed prior to payment but, I wonder if there are any C-25 specific "red flag" items I should beware of prior to the survey.

Any and all comments appreciated. I expect that this forum gets a lot of these questions so I thank you for the chance to ask.

Thanks,
Dennis

Edited by - on

drhunt
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
26 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 13:16:15

Dennis,
You've made a good choice in the C25. I'm really enjoying my '83 tall rig/fin keel. The following two references from this web site were invaluable to me when I purchased mine (also on the C25 Tech Tips web page) :
<ul> [url="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summertm.html"]Shopping for a C25[/url] by Larry Charlot
[url="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summert2.html"]Self-Appraising a C25[/url] by Larry Charlot
</ul>
Good Luck!

Daryl Hunt, C25 FK/TR #3595, "Discovery"

Edited by - on

Cat25wannab
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 13:25:31

Thanks for the links, Daryl. Yeah, I think the C25 is a good choice. Initially, I was shopping the C27, but the shallow draft of the swing keel and the potential trailer-ability (is that a word?) of the C25 more than compensates for the extra space in the C27.

Edited by - on

luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 17:12:52

Good reading in those two docs, for sure! There are some design changes over the years to be aware of, though and they might influence the price you should pay. I have an '82 swinger, standard rig, standard layout. I love her! In 81 or 82 models they molded in a gas tank compartment, as opposed to the tank sitting in the lazarette of the older models. Good to get the gas away from the electrical panel and such! Also, the motor switched from port to strbd around this time (couldn've been a few years earlier). Other small changes were made later like in '84 the nav lights came off the hull and were placed on the Pulpit in accordance with new regs and the old eyebrow ones are no longer accepted by the Coast Guard (if you're in a place that cares). Even later models did away with the swing and added a wing keel model, removed the poptop, etc.

If you can get into any boat for your budget, the C25 is the most bang for your buck though. Big boat luxuries at small boat prices!

I've been working on mine over 4 years and slowly have added many things that upgrade the boat to some of the newer vanity and safety design changes made over the years. if you're not in a big hurry and can do the work yourself, you'll find that you can make a C25 what ever you want it to be (within budget and reason). Good luck.

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 17:20:17

I remember a thread that said the C27 is not all that much bigger because of the in board and the water lines are very similar so the C25 will give you as much room as the C27 and equal speed. The poptop can make up for the lack of headroom when at anchor or on a mooring.
The only “red flag” would be the swing keel. Moving parts under water need attention and need to be taken care of. The advantage of the swing keel is the shallow draft but a wing keel will give you almost the same without the potential for leaks. I have a fin keel and draw 4’ but I have plenty of water where I sail.
The C25 is a great, strong and well tested cruiser. If the swing keel is important for your area go with it, if you have deep water try to find a fixed keel either fin or wing. IMO the wing on a tall rig is the best combo. And I am saying that owning a fin with a standard rig.
 

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 18:10:52

Depending on how you look at it. The C-27 cabin is big. But its taken up with cabinets and not laid out as well. The V berth on the C-27 is 6" shorter than the C-25.

Doug&Ruth
Boatless in Seattle
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/14/2002 : 21:50:12

"...Initially, I was shopping the C27, but the shallow draft of the swing keel and the potential trailer-ability of the C25 more than compensates for the extra space in the C27...." - Dennis

If shallow draft and transportability are your priorities, then the C25 swinger is a very good choice. But, since you said that you were initially considering the C27, I have to assume that a 4 foot draft is not a concern in your sailing area and trailer-ability is not your primary concern. If these two assumptions are correct, then, if I were you I would opt for the C27.

I, like you, was initially shopping for a C27 before I purchased my 1980 C25 SR/FK. I wanted the C27 because it was roomier, more substantial, and with the fixed keel, less maintenance than my old 25ft swinger. Additionally, I wanted to get out of the business of trailering, since I only trailered it twice a year(to the marina in the spring and back home in the fall). While I was searching for a C27, I stumbled upon a 1980 C25 SR/FK that the owner was letting go at an obscenely low price, so I bought it. The C25 doesn't have the size and headroom of the C27, but it does have the deep fixed keel stability and for the price I paid I've learned to duck. I'm very happy with North Star, but, like most sailors, I continuously have my eyes on the lookout for the next boat(I'm working my way up to a Valiant 40 <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>).

Before making a decision on any boat, make sure you know exactly what you want in a boat and look for that type of craft(trailerable boat, roomy cruiser, racer,...etc), because the wrong choice may make you go over to the dark side and you may become a...a...powerboater! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
1980 C25 #2151
SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 10/14/2002 22:40:23

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 09:25:56

Mornin John,

It's interesting that you think the tall wing is the ideal Catalina 25 while owning a standard fin and I think the standard fin is the ideal boat while owning a tall wing. Reminds me of the controversy experienced when looking at the neighbors grass over the communal fence.
I most appreciate the standard fin's stability as experienced by comparing numbers on a page vs the realtime experience on a tall wing.

Go figure.

Val on "CALISTA" # 3936

Val Bisagni

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 10:05:50

Hi Dennis...

To your question on "red flags", If you're looking at a swinger, pay particular attention to the forward area of the centerboard trunk, looking for signs of an uncontrolled dropping of the board caused by a broken cable or attachment. When that 1500# casting does an uncontrolled swing, it doesn't want to stop. Cracks and/or patches will indicate the event. Most owners have not had that happen, but some have found their boats below the surface due to a dropping keel... Right Val? <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> This is especially an issue in salt water.

Everything else is pretty standard--a good surveyor will figure it out in a minute and teach you a lot about the boat.

As I recall, the wing draws barely 2" more than the swing in the up position, but most wings are later vintages, harder to find, and predictably more expensive. It probably gives something up for a racer, but cruisers seem very pleased with it. I also appreaciate the molded fuel locker and transom drains (in place of scuppers) in the later models.

Good luck in your quest...

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 13:15:40

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Mornin John,

It's interesting that you think the tall wing is the ideal Catalina 25 while owning a standard fin and I think the standard fin is the ideal boat while owning a tall wing. Reminds me of the controversy experienced when looking at the neighbors grass over the communal fence.
I most appreciate the standard fin's stability as experienced by comparing numbers on a page vs the realtime experience on a tall wing.

Go figure.

Val on "CALISTA" # 3936

Val Bisagni
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Hi Val –
It did occur to me as I posted that message that a wing with a tall rig would be tender. I am very happy with my standard fin but in shallow areas I would want the wing over the swing. I would think that the taller rig would point a bit higher but I won’t race Peregrine so it doesn’t really matter till I try to get back into Oyster Bay with the prevailing southerlies.
Just a couple weeks left till…. Well you know. Dagnabit!
 

[url="http://www.peregrinefund.org/"]<img src="http://www.peregrinefund.org/images/intro_mid_image.GIF" border=0>[/url]
 John G- "PEREGRINE" C25-#4762 FK

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 14:24:21

"...I think the standard fin is the ideal boat..." - Val Bisagni

I'm with Val! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
1980 C25 #2151
SR/FK

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 14:35:17

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>removed the poptop<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

What year did they do this?

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 16:08:08

I think the poptop was an option and not standard equipment. There is a 78' C25 a few slips down from me that has a hardtop screwed down in place of the poptop.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
1980 C25 #2151
SR/FK

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2002 : 16:57:11

I haven't sailed on a swing nor wing, but I did have a swinger come on my boat in Montery Bay. He said that he thought my boat was more stable than his would have been there.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

Cat25wannab
Deckhand

Members Avatar

6 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2002 : 14:53:22

Thanks for all the great comments! Glad to see you all agree on the perfect C25 ;) Just kidding. Actually, I think you all are right. Different sailing conditions and different sailing grounds can make each combination a better choice for that particular geographic area. (the diplomatic newbie)

Hope to become a member of your club in the near future. Thanks again!

Dennis

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