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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Catalina 26

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/24/2010 : 08:14:11

Just curious . . .

What are the differences between the Catalina 25, 250 and the Catalina 26? I know the 26 was offered in years between the 25 and 250 but is it a modified/similar too the 25, or more like a 250 (sorta like the C310 v C309 -- same hull, different interior). I rarely see them on the market and if/when the price seems quite steep.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 09:16:59

I have always believed that the Capri 26 was originally intended to be the successor to the C25, but, although it's a very nice boat in many respects, it doesn't sail quite as well as the C25. Moreover, not long after the Capri 26 reached the market, cars began to be downsized, and boat buyers began to demand boats that were lighter and easier to trailer. In response to that demand, Catalina developed the C250. Prices for the Capri 26 are holding up well because, by any standard, it's still a very nice boat.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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1778 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 09:28:56

Steve -- as I understand it there is the C25, the C250, the Capri26 and the Catalina 26 -- or am I mistaken

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 09:41:01

I have not seen a Catalina 26, but I have seen several Capri 26 boats, and occasionally crew on one at our marina (we have 2, but the other one is tied up in the owner's legal squabbles). The Capri 26 is a foot wider in the beam, and weighs about 1000 pounds more. It has an open transom so the rudder is under the boat rather than on the stern. It does not point as well as the C25, or most of the other 25-26 ft boats on our lake, but it is a fairly stable boat, lots of room below, and fun to sail. It is set up below very much like the C250.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 09:58:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bigelowp
 Steve -- as I understand it there is the C25, the C250, the Capri26 and the Catalina 26 -- or am I mistaken
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I've never heard of a Catalina 26, and assumed you were referring to the Capri 26. I've gone to many sailboat shows at Annapolis, Chicago and St. Petersburg, and have never seen or heard of a Catalina 26 at any boat show.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 10:07:11

Got it -- the Catalina "Capri" 26 -- as an old Mainsheet describes it

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2010 : 10:25:28

...and at just under 10' beam, it's a wide load in most (maybe all) states. So it's no more trailerable than the C-270, which might be derived from the Capri. (The 270's hull and deck/cabin seem to me to be more similar to the Capri than to the older C-27.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/24/2010 10:30:29

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 05:59:47

Hi Peter,
The Catalina 25 and 250 are two different 25 footers. The Capri 26 is now described by Catalina Yachts as the Catalina 26. The 26 is very different from the 25 and the 250.

In addition to being beamier (9' 10") there are several other differences. One difference is that the mast is stepped quite a bit farther forward than on the C25. This means that the mainsail is relatively larger and the jib is relatively smaller. Moving the mast forward allowed a complete redesign of the interior. There are no forward bulkheads as in the C25 - so, the 26's interior seems larger and more open. The design weight for the 26 is 5,250 lbs (700 lbs heavier than the C25). Both the Capri 26 and the C25 share the same fin keel - as well as mast and boom dimensions. And, even though the sails are relatively different, the sail area for the Capri 26 is the same as a tall rig C25 (295 sq ft).

I've sailed on Capri 26s (in fact was out on one a week ago). They sail nice and are fun to be on. But, most have a roller furling jib (often 135% or smaller) and because the mast is stepped farther forward, the 135 is about the same as a 120 on a C25. So, there is significantly less drive when close hauled. Reaching though is a "hoot" with that big mainsail. BTW: If I owned a Capri 26, I'd opt for having a really big drifter jib (probably a 165% made of 1.5 oz spinnaker cloth) for all the light breeze days we get around here during July thru mid Sept. One thing that is very nice on the 26 is the width of the side decks. They are much wider than on a C25 and very nice for moving forward from the cockpit to the foredeck. And, the walk through transom and swim platform is very nice compared to the C25.

Steve is correct... the Capri 26 was originally named the Catalina 26 and was intended to replace the C25 in the production. A decision was made to not stop producing the C25 in the mid-eighties - so that made quite a few Catalina models between 22 ft and 30 ft - and the 26 was then labeled the Capri 26. Catalina then produced both the C25 and the Capri 26 side by side for several years.

I still like my C25, Snickerdoodle, a lot after 25 years - and don't envision trading her for a 26. But, with a few relatively minor changes, I think that I'd like a Catalina/Capri 26 almost as well.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - Bill Holcomb on 07/25/2010 06:02:25

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 07:09:48

Here is link to real? [url="http://www.chriscraft.com/index.php?submenu=ModelCatalina&src=directory&view=boats&srctype=detail&refno=6&category=Catalina"]Catalina 26[/url]

or is it this [url="http://www.rybarv.com/id47.html"]one![/url]. I am so confused.

Actually, here is the [url="http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-for-sale/details.aspx?seot=1&R=3153179&silo=1408&__Nne=5&__N=604+896+&intref=sr-bnbis-results-stock"]real thing.[/url]. The cockpit is huge and so is the price. But mast does not look that far forward. I like the dinette table. Wish my C250 had one. Also note placement of traveller.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 07/25/2010 07:28:01

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 07:34:20

Below decks looks like a swollen C250 with a few minor mods.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 08:02:35

Bill -- Thanks for your description and sailing review. It's amazing how many boat models Catalina (et all) have produced and always interesting trying to figure why and for what market . . .

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 09:08:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 Below decks looks like a swollen C250 with a few minor mods.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
swollen past participle of swell (Verb)
1. (esp. of a part of the body) Become larger or rounder in size, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid.
2. Become or make greater in intensity, number, amount, or volume.

John, if by that you mean the latter, I would agree. Thats a good thing, right?
Steve A

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2010 : 10:04:38

#2 would be the C-26... #1 would be me.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2010 : 07:06:37

Link with many pics of one that was sold.

http://www.strictlysailing.com/classifieds/81104a.html

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 07/26/2010 : 07:17:36

Yup--most of that 22" of extra beam went to the side-decks. Nice.

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