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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

first sailboat

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retrospect
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/04/2010 : 17:36:42

Hi,

I want to buy a catalina 25 (this is my first sailboat ever) and just wanted to get some advice. I'm going to look at one tomorrow that doesn't have a motor (is that the same thing as an outboard?). If I were to get a motor for it, what brand do you recommend and what all should I know? Also, all the boats I have found for sale are not located at the lake that I would like to keep mine at; is transporting a Catalina 25 a mistake/ really costly? Thanks!!

Lindsey

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2010 : 19:35:39

Lindsey, most do have an outboard engine. Brands to look at are Honda, Nissan or Tohatsu. Probably somewhere between and 8 or 9 HP, depending on where you plan to sail. You could go electic as well. Are you planning to buy new or used?
Re transporting, I assume you have a trailer? or planning to hire company to transport for you if no trailer. I have no idea re this cost. Others mite. Or can you sail it to your lake?
As this is your first boat, do you have someone with knowledge to evalulate the boat or surveryor?
Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5413 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2010 : 23:38:34

It really depends on what you have to spend. In good shape these days, a 78-86 C-25 sailboat is around $6-7K.
A brand new 8-10 HP outboard is approx $2500-3000, and used maybe $1800, depending on the year.

While the Catalina is a good boat to learn on, it could be a major undertaking for someone with 0 sailing experience. A Hobie Cat or a sloop rigged 16-18 foot day sailor would teach you a LOT more about sailing.

Transport charges could be several hundred dollars, or more. But, if the boat is obtainable at a bargain price, and it even costs you $500 or more to ship it, you still come out ahead of the game.

Good luck

Edited by - Voyager on 09/04/2010 23:40:21

retrospect
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 06:06:40

Thanks so much for the advice! Yes, I am taking my mom with me; she and my dad used to race J24s for several years when they were younger. I'll let yall know how it goes! Thanks again,

Lindsey

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jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 08:58:58

From your question about outboard motors and your stated zero experience I think you have two choices:

Plan A. Buy an old 12 to 20 foot sloop to learn on for a year or so. Your mom can help with a boat choice. It doesn't even have to be a sloop. A lateen rig (single sail) will be almost as good. Also strongly pursue crewing on over 20 foot sailboats for a year.

Plan B. The only good substitute for expertise of your own is a mentor's expertise. If you want to take the quickest route to a Catalina 25 you need a well qualified person to help you get the right boat at a fair price. For your safety you need an experienced sailor with you in a variety of conditions while you learn.

A Catalina 25 is not a ride at Disney World. Think of it like an automobile. You can get hurt physically and financially if you don't know what you are doing.

Edited by - jbkayaker on 09/05/2010 09:08:35

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 09:13:44

There are a couple of guys that sail Lake Ray Hubbard on the forum. They'll chime in soon. They might even offer a ride and/or in person advice. Good luck with the search. jbkayaker makes an excellent point. The C25 isn't a toy boat.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 11:15:11

For your first boat, consider also the Catalina 22. It's a good boat to train on, significantly easier to transport over land, has controls almost exactly like a C-25 making moving up easier, and there are active fleets in your area, especially at Lake Grapevine.
I'll also second crewing with an experienced sailor for a year, especially one who likes to teach the sport.
Above all, buy a boat that is popular in your area. Reselling it later will be that much easier.
good luck with your search and learning.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2010 : 11:28:01

Welcome, Lindsey! There are some good suggestions above--particularly about learning on a smaller boat or getting some instruction. Sailing is not a "point-and-shoot" sport like driving a power boat, and lacking an understanding of a few basics, somebody can get hurt by a boom swinging unexpectedly or a 5000 lb. boat approaching a dock slightly out of control.

I'm sure your mom knows about sailboats, but I always recommend getting a professional survey for a boat this big with the variety of potential issues even a sailor won't likely notice. For example, the decks and cabin-top have plywood "core" between the outer and inner layers of fiberglass. It takes a moisture meter and a trained operator to determine that water hasn't leaked through some of the many holes in the deck and caused the plywood to rot. Similarly, there are potential issues with the hull, keel, rigging, electrical system, etc. for which a trained eye is helpful. This is generally done by an accredited [url="http://www.marinesurvey.org/"]Marine Surveyor[/url] as a condition to the purchase (like getting an inspection when you're buying a house). You and your mom can attend, ask questions, and learn a lot about the boat and what needs to be attended to. (On a 20+ year old boat, there are always things...) It can also point out things that should reduce the price, or reasons why you should walk (or run) away. $350-400 might sound like a lot, but the survey might also be required by your insurance company (you do need at least liability insurance), so you might as well have it work for you in the purchase process.

One of the most popular new outboard motors for the C-25, the Tohatsu/Nissan 9.8 hp, is available from an on-line supplier for under $2K. Comparable (but heavier) Hondas and Yamahas are up in the $2K range. A key criterion is an "extra long" (25") shaft.

Getting back to crawling before you walk before you run, I'd give some thought to getting to know a little about sailing before making this big a leap into it.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2010 : 18:17:58

Smaller is always a better learning platform, but you have access to a lot of sailing experience in you parents and can probably do fine going straight to a C-25. Definitely take an opportunity to go out on a C-25 and have a C-25 sailor look at the boat with you if possible.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2010 : 18:24:48

I forgot to add: I have a Mercury outboard - it uses the Tohatsu powerhead too. Any of the major brands are fine with various pluses and minuses, but you can join the association and get a discount from OnLine Outboard's already low prices on Tohatsu and Nissan that will more than pay for your membership. Good Luck, and we look forward to you becoming a new skipper.

Edited by - on

captainstuart
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2010 : 08:34:00

Welcome to sailing!

I hope you make this a lifelong sport you enjoy. Here is a link to sailing schools broken down by state:

http://www1.ussailing.org/wheretosail/wheretosail.aspx

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2010 : 10:26:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by retrospect
 Hi,

I want to buy a catalina 25 (this is my first sailboat ever) and just wanted to get some advice. I'm going to look at one tomorrow that doesn't have a motor (is that the same thing as an outboard?). If I were to get a motor for it, what brand do you recommend and what all should I know? Also, all the boats I have found for sale are not located at the lake that I would like to keep mine at; is transporting a Catalina 25 a mistake/ really costly? Thanks!!

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

Hey Lindsey,

I sail on Lake Ray Hubbard and if you want to go for a sail we could certainly do that. I have a tear on my main sail that I need to get repaired but there are several of us that go sailing all the time. There's usually a couple C-25's for sale on the lake, we have a lot of C25's out here.

What lake are you looking at sailing at?

Edited by - on

djdurrett
Navigator

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124 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2010 : 10:36:33

Peter, grab my main or i will leave it unlocked if I am not available... I would love to tag along.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2010 : 11:40:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djdurrett
 Peter, grab my main or i will leave it unlocked if I am not available... I would love to tag along.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually about to pull it off Friday and get it to GusSails in Rockwall. You sailing tomorrow? I'm jonesing.

Edited by - on

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