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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Seaward 25 Question

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Chris Z
Captain

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452 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/21/2009 : 10:59:45

My brother is looking at a Seaward 25 that is for sale. I told him this forum would be the best place to get good feedback.

What quality is this boat?
How would someone fair in reselling it?
How would it rate against a C25?
Is it really built to take some open seas?

Other comments are welcome!!

Thanks

Chris Z.
Water Warrior
1982 Force 5

Former Owner Blown Away - C25

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2009 : 12:58:03

I've never seen one, but just checked one out on Yachtworld, and it looks like a nice, spacious trailer cruiser that looks more rugged than a C25, but is priced accordingly. If you plan to sail in somewhat rougher conditions, and don't plan to race, and are willing to make a considerably larger initial investment, then I think the Seaward 25 would be a good choice. If you want a weekend, all-purpose racer/cruiser for lakes, bays and near coastal cruising, and intend to avoid the tough stuff, then I think the C25 would be a better choice.

Based only on the photos, it appears to be a fairly good quality boat. IMHO, there's always a market for a good quality boat, as long as it isn't overpriced for the current market.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 11/21/2009 13:01:42

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2009 : 14:24:58

I looked at one some years ago, on the hard, when I was in the market... The relatively light displacement, light ballast in a shallow wing keel, and the relatively flat bottom made me think it was designed more for trailering than for sailing. The plumb bow, tumblehome, stainless ports and brightwork give her a salty appearance... I chose the C-25 partly because it seemed more seaworthy based on the hull form, keel, and ballast. I suspect the C-25 will sail away from the Seaward in anything but calm conditions. I seem to recall the Seaward was considerably more money than the C-25 I bought, but I don't remember their respective vintages.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/21/2009 14:26:04

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2009 : 19:15:24

Hake builds quality boats. Be brutally honest about the kind of sailing he'll do, not dream of, and a boat will find him. Racing, speed, and pointing are not what the shallow keel 25 is about, but with a 200 mile range under power and the ability to sail in skinny water, it is still a great boat in the right marriage.The ballast/displacement ratio is similar to the C-25, but the whole package is more than a thousand pounds lighter for easier towing. There were some Bluewater models with a fin keel, but most have the long, shallow, bulb keel combined with the form stability of the flattish bottom and harder chines of a lake/inshore boat. Light weight in this case is engineering, not marginal construction. It's best to fall in love with a boat before buying.

Edit: I looked at a nice Seward before I bought Pearl, but this forum and the factory support were among the things that swayed me to Catalina.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 11/21/2009 19:23:17

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 11/21/2009 : 20:11:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Chris Z
 My brother is looking at a Seaward 25 that is for sale. I told him this forum would be the best place to get good feedback.

What quality is this boat? Excellent workmanship
How would someone fair in reselling it? Depends on price you're asking
How would it rate against a C25? For daysailing I think the C25 is a better value. For cruising the Seaward would excel.
Is it really built to take some open seas? Some. Most have an inboard which is a significant advantage, but it is still a 25' boat

Other comments are welcome!! Hake is still making boats so that is a good thing for a prospective owner. There is one at our club and we have been on it. It is a beautiful boat and very well built. Of course, it is priced accordingly. They are also easy to launch and retrieve without the mechanical maintenance issues of a swing keel. The one at our club launches and retrieves without a trailer extension.

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

Edited by - Nautiduck on 11/21/2009 22:44:41

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 09:59:56

I should add that my criteria didn't include easy launching, retrieving, or trailering--mine would be staying in a slip, being stored in a boatyard, and sailing in the short chop and fluky winds of Long Island Sound. Everyone's mileage varies.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 10:51:54

Another thing to consider is the internal living space. The Seaward was, as mentioned on their website, made for Florida and trailer travel. The large cockpit is for "easy livin' in the heat." Maybe not so much down below.

I recall our traditional interior, especially with the pop top enclosure installed, as a roomy but cozy place to hang when it was cool out, and it almost always got cold out at night around here.

So, consider where the boat was designed to be used, where it would be used, and how utilitarian the belowdecks layout itself is to the potential buyer.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 11:36:53

Completely off topic, but if you want to make your quoted text the same size as normal text, change the Size of your quoted text to "2":
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What quality is this boat? Excellent workmanship<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The size tags have to be inside the quote tags, or they're ignored.

Edited by - delliottg on 11/22/2009 11:39:34

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 13:31:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave5041
 ...with a 200 mile range under power...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">On six gallons? I know those little diesels are thrifty, but that's remarkable!

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2009 : 17:02:37

I'm guessing that earlier models had the option of a somewhat larger fuel tank, or possibly one of those magic appliances from the back pages of Popular Mechanics.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 07:16:51

[url="http://www.sailingmagazine.net/boat-test/484-seaward-25"]Seaward 25 Review[/url]

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 08:59:19

Years ago after spending many months getting my Merit 25 sold, I swore to myself if I ever bought another boat it would be a Catalina. They are the most "liquid asset" you can own. Having now sold two Catalini to the first buyers who saw them I feel a Catalina is always a better choice if a Catalina can meet your needs.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 11:22:34

I priced the Hake 30 two years ago. They are built to sail the Florida keys and therefore have a shallow draft. On both the 25 and 30, the keel can be lifted into the hull with an electric lift. This, plus the flat bottom, allow it to float in only a few inches of water. Even the 30 footer is trailerable. They are advertised as open water capable.

I've been looking at used boats a lot in the last two months and I've only seen one Hake 30 for sale. That's either a testiment to owner loyalty or low sales. They've been in business since the 70's so I would say that owner loyalty is the norm. If you can afford one and have a need for a shallow draft boat, the Hake is probably a good choice.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 17:25:04

Those new RK models are about as slick as I can imagine.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 21:13:45

Vertically lifting keels are probably fine in groundings on Florida's sand shoals, but you don't want to hit one of the granite monsters around these parts with a that kind of keel. (Actually, you don't want to hit them with anything, but especially not a daggerboard-type system.)

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