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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

250 Wing Keel - How Trailerable?

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BAJAMAN
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/03/2010 : 21:48:49

Hello all-
Great site with some great talk about the C boats!

I'm a Southern California sailor.

I have been looking at both the 250 WB and WK. I previously owned a Santana 2023C with water ballast and liked it very much. Tender after 15 knots, but a nice sailing boat. The WB tanks did have issues with these models.

I currently own a Mariner 19 centerboard and it is a great boat! Great for bays, lakes, and quick day sailing, but very small down below and not a boat I want to take off shore to Catalina Island with my kids.

I am now looking for something a little bigger for trips to Catalina Island in summer, Lake Mead, Lake Tahoe, etc.....

My primary uses will be bay sailing in ocean, trips to Catalina Island, perhaps a trip to Lakes Mead and Tahoe, and some lake
sailing near my home. I would like to provide an increased level of safety for my young kids when they accompany me sailing.

Here is where I am with WB vs WK:

WK Pros
Great room down below, stiffer than WB, no WB to fool around with, no CB to maintain or fool with
Cons
Sits very high on trailer, launching can be a real challenge,

WB Pros
sits low on trailer, easy to launch,
cons
not very stiff compared to WK, water tanks to worry about, CB line that needs maintenance

So.....I am close in my pros/cons?

So.....how trailerable is a WK? How long does it take to rig for sailing? Do you need a 3/4 ton 4X4 to pull it and launch it?

Since I will be keeping the boat on a trailer at my home, and setting up each time I go sailing, (may keep it in a marina for a few months during the summer) will I use it less because of the issues with set up/launch?

Is not really a true trailer sailer?

Thanks!!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2010 : 05:46:07

Hey Carlos, the simple rule of thumb is that if it lives in the water, the wing keel is the choice and if on the trailer then the water ballast.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2010 : 07:37:36

You've summed it up pretty well... The wing will sit about 2' higher and weigh about 1000 lbs. more on the trailer. That probably makes ramp launching of the wing problematic--she's better for lifting in and out. And the WK might push you into a bigger tow vehicle. (Keep in mind the total weight--trailer, engine, sails, fuel, ground tackle, and other "stuff".)

Most reports here have suggested that the wing is stiffer initially (at slight heel), but as heel increases, the WB holds her own. Correspondingly, the WK rig was designed with shorter spreaders and cabintop chainplates to accommodate a bigger headsail (135%). The shrouds on the WB terminate at about the gunwale. Most WBs were sold with 110% jibs.

For trailer sailing, I think you should check out the process of setting up and dropping the C-250 mast... It isn't "just a little more" than the 19' Mariner. You might decide that a 25' boat is just a bit much for day-sailing off a trailer. Personally, I think above about 22', the time and effort (multiple people) makes one-day "dry sailing" too cumbersome. A 25-footer makes sense on a trailer for storage and transporting for long weekends or weeks in the water. The WK is best for a slip or mooring for the season. YMMV. (Oops--sorry--you don't know about "seasons"!

)

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2010 : 07:48:37

Carlos, you're assessment is quite good. The wing version also has beefier winches to handle the larger foresail. I have a C250 Wing. We "strap launch" our boat at the ramp and it works fine. I would not, though, want to do it frequently. Our boat sits in a slip all season. We also take her on extended (2+ weeks) cruises in the San Juans and she does that very well. We have towed our C250 well over 3,500 miles. I strongly recommend a 3/4 ton pickup for safe highway travel.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/04/2010 08:03:49

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2010 : 12:42:03

in the WB the centerboard bangs around a lot while at anchor or on a mooring.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2010 : 13:48:29

I don't think my boat is a trailer sailer - just transpoortable on a trailer with a <font size="4">BIG</font id="size4"> truck.

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BAJAMAN
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2010 : 21:49:12

Thanks to all for your input. I will reassess what will work for me considering I do have to launch/retrieve fairly frequently. I may have to live with a small cabin (with a trailer sailer it really is only useable for sleeping) as a trade off for ease of rigging/launching. However, I do want something more substantial for ballast if I am to go offshore to Catalina Island. I may look at the Montgomery 17, as it has it has lead ballast shoal keel with a fiberglass centerboard used solely for pointing ability. It does have a small cabin, though. Thoughts??

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2010 : 07:17:06

As far as sailing to Catalina Island, the C250 water ballast is every bit as capable as the wing keel. In fact, the water ballast would likely offer a better ride if conditions are choppy.

As to effort to launch and retrieve... the C250 is easier than the C22. That is in part because it uses a mast raising system that one person can deal with and it has no forward lowers that have to be dealt with. In fact, if a loose rig for lighter air is ok, no stays need adjusted during setup.

The 250 water ballast was designed to be a very trailerable friendly boat and lives up to its design in most ways. The one critical area being the discontinuance of the kick up rudder.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2010 : 08:13:24

As Arlyn notes, the water ballast 250 is a capable vessel. One of the members here sailed his to the Bahamas from Florida and through someewhat heavy seas. Not that this, or any Catalina 25 footer, is a blue-water boat but to Catalina Island, certainly.

Also note that there is a source for kick up rudders for the 250 (Idasailor).

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2010 : 08:16:29

One of the biggest bang for the buck in trailer boat category I think is a Catalina 22. For a trip to Catalina Island I would want something more substantial than a 17fter. Displacement is 2340lbs so you don't need a Mack truck to pull it around, Has a pop top for much more cabin space, Larger cockpit, Comes in a swing or a wing, Catalina/CD support,Most can be found with a trailer (single axle less maintenance) and a good reputation. Something to consider. This one is just an example of a wing on a trailer, It doesn't appear to sit very high on the trailer so I don't think it is that difficult to launch.http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1989/Catalina-Pop-Top-Sloop-2053859/South-Portland/ME/United-States

Edited by - on

jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2010 : 20:18:59

I am considering switching to a much faster boat, specifically a "J" boats J-24. It's a keel boat but much lighter than my 1999 Cat250WK and much faster. The cabin ceiling is low but it does provide some sleeping spaces. If most of your outings are just day sails then why not go for a more exciting boat at around the same price for the same age.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2010 : 08:52:24

I believe Charlie (known as sterngucker on this forum) has a C250 wb for sale. The boat is in perfect condition with many extras. A veteran of many trips to Catalina, Lake Mead, and other spots.

Edited by - on

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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.