Association Forum - Best modification/updates

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Best modification/updates

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

kentwm
Navigator

Member Avatar

101 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2011 : 06:22:16

What are some of the best modifications and/or updates you have done to you C25?

Kent
1984 O'Day 28 "High Cotton"

2003 Raider 16 Sport
PO '81 C25 FK/TR
PO '72 16' Fireball
Seabrook, TX

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 06:54:27

I've done many upgrades to my boat. But the single best addition; Simrad autopilot.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 07:14:03

My boat came to me pretty much fully loaded, but like Davy J, the autopilot I installed 10 years ago was by far, the best addition I've ever made. Even better than the bimini. As the vast majority of my sailing is done singlehandedly, the autopilot is set up even before I start the outboard when leaving the dock.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/26/2011 07:17:41

NCBrew
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 07:35:22

I don,t have an auto-pilot yet. My best mod is running all lines to the cockpit.
I sail alone most off the time and my next mod will be auto-pilot.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 07:38:05

Bimini and 9.8 hp Nissan XL with elec. start.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 07:41:27

I haven't had time to do any "mods" yet as I've been spending time fixing things...but by far the best thing I've done is fix up the DC power system. Replacing those 2 mismatched, half dead car batteries and trickle charger with 2 group 27 marine deep cycles and Guest multistage charger has been the best bang for buck fix/mod. Having a strong, reliable base and bank of DC power has allowed new LED cabin lights, new fans, nav lights, radio operation....you name it.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 08:14:25

This thread got me thinking of my C25 Upgrades:

Anchor Roller
New 8" SS Mooring Cleats
CDI Roller Furling & furling gear
New running rigging
Onboard a-frame to lower mast
Reefing hook & Reefing Line
Cabin Top halyard winch & Spinlock line stopper
Winchers on sheet winches
Bimini
Tohatsu 9.8 hp 4-stroke
Simrad Autopilot
Larger Gas tank
Rebuild sink faucets
New marine head
V-berth storage drawers
Replace keel winch and cable
80 watt Solar panel & charge controller
New Batteries (twice)
Whisker pole & mast track
Full size air bed in cabin
Engel 125/12v fridge freezer
New windows and portlights
Asymmetric Spinnaker
New Mainsail
New 135% RF Genoa

It has occurred to me that once I replace the standing rigging, lifelines, rudder, tiller, and companion way hatch boards that I will have almost totally rebuilt the boat.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 08:14:58

Running water for washing hands and cleaning dishes without having to take them off the boat.

I also love the solar panel so I never have to hook up to shorepower.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3459 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 10:05:33

The single most important upgrade I did soon after buying my boat over 4 1/2 years ago. I replaced the finicky outboard with at that time, a new 2006 Honda 9.9 XLS. That outboard runs flawlessly. I consider the outboard most important because it would be a necessity to leave and then return and get into my marina.

Replacing the non-working depth finder with a fishfinder would be my next most important followed by:
Mast wire replacement and new anchor & steaming/deck combo light
New switch panel accessible from the cockpit
Bunk Extension
Hinged suspended table
Purchasing a Tilley hat

Edited by - OLarryR on 05/26/2011 10:06:39

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 10:14:44

Interesting timing of this question as I just started measuring for relocating the mainsheet traveler in front of the companionway. Others who have made this change say it's the best mod they've ever done.

Edited by - on

pfduffy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 10:57:10

While I have not yet sailed this season (I blame Little League baseball), I am certain that leading the halyards and reefing line back to the cockpit along with the new sails and CDI furler will make this a different boat.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 10:59:14

Moving the traveler control lines to mid-cockpit.

Edited by - on

kentwm
Navigator

Members Avatar

101 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:23:32

Some questions I have:

#1 - for those of you who did the CDI furler... on CD it looks like it's half the price of a harkin setup.. are you happy with it/

#2 - what are the advantages/disadvantages of a asymetrical spinnaker vs a drifter?

I am thinking about getting all new sails next Spring and wonder about these to items.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:36:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">for those of you who did the CDI furler... on CD it looks like it's half the price of a harkin setup.. are you happy with it/<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I specifically installed a CDI furler because I need to frequently lower the mast. The CDI foil is plastic and can take the abuse better. If you want to be able to change out headsails the other brands are easier to do so. But, I am very happy with CDI. Get the optional bearings.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 12:59:16

Best mod - buying my own C-25 instead of traveling for many hours to my friend's boat on the Narragansett Bay.

Edited by - on

kentwm
Navigator

Members Avatar

101 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 13:45:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
I specifically installed a CDI furler because I need to frequently lower the mast. The CDI foil is plastic and can take the abuse better. If you want to be able to change out headsails the other brands are easier to do so. But, I am very happy with CDI. Get the optional bearings.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

thanks for that information. I like to race my boat in our club races and we do sometime change headsails while underway so being able to do that is important.

Edited by - on

kentwm
Navigator

Members Avatar

101 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 13:50:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 This thread got me thinking of my C25 Upgrades:

Larger Gas tank
V-berth storage drawers
Engel 125/12v fridge freezer
New windows and portlights
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

So where did you install the larger gas tank?
Can you post a picture of how you did the V-brith drawers?
Do you have the engle 125 installed some where of is it just sitting loose in the cabin?
Are the new windows able to open?

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 16:34:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">So where did you install the larger gas tank?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tohatsu came with a 3 gallon tank. I got a 6 gallon tank to fit in the port fuel locker.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Can you post a picture of how you did the V-brith drawers?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
We use this full size air mattress to sleep in the cabin:

So I removed the cushions, cut some carpet to fit the space and then added these drawers. They are not permanently mounted, bungees keep them from opening by accident:

This is a photo of the Engel and it's little brother a Dometic on our last trip:

The Engel has battery straps to keep it place.

Here is the thread of replacing the windows. I have not yet installed the new opening port lights in the head, but I have them in a box, they are the next project.
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23031&SearchTerms=windows

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 20:07:37

Our best update has been North U courses every spring. Rebooting the skipper makes for big gains on teh boat.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 06:02:27

Seeing a lot of "autopilot'. I guess I should go ahead and wire mine huh? After having it for 1 1/2 years

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 06:08:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 Seeing a lot of "autopilot'. I guess I should go ahead and wire mine huh? After having it for 1 1/2 years

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If you singlehand, I'd say it's the best thing after a roller furler. I've used a tiller pilot, but didn't have one on my C-25. I had a regular First Mate back then.

This got me thinking about Passage... so I looked up http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=13311 to see what I'd done. The pix have been shrunken, but otherwise she looked (and sounded) pretty good! Bruce got a nice one and has made her nicer.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/27/2011 06:25:57

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 06:37:26

Our AP sits on the greywater tank. It is rarely put to use. I fond myself fiddling with the buttons and it is a distraction to me. If I need to go forward or what have you, I tie off the tiller, take care of things, and come back. Maybe I'm a control freak.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 08:45:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 Our AP sits on the greywater tank. It is rarely put to use. I fond myself fiddling with the buttons and it is a distraction to me. If I need to go forward or what have you, I tie off the tiller, take care of things, and come back. Maybe I'm a control freak.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When you say "our" AP, I'm thinking you aren't primarily a singlehanded sailor, which is where it really comes in to play. I rarely, if ever, use mine when out sailing with someone else and if someone is thinking about buying an autopilot and is not a singlehanded sailor, them I'd recommend saving your money as it will probably just go unused gathering dust somewhere. As to tying off the tiller with either rope or bungee, doesn't really work for the type of sailing I do.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3459 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 09:23:07

I agree - Seeing a lot mentioning an autopilot has their best improvement. For river sailing, I have not given it that much thought since I probably have to tack more than most that are in relatively pen water. However, it would probably come in handy when I am raising my main and mostly when taking down the sail before coming into the marina. right now, I just use a line to secure the tiller to maintain a straight course which never turns out to be straight but I make do and it works for me....but sounds like an autopilot is another thing for me to give another look at....but they seem rather expensive for my mostly just putting up and taking down the main.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 10:02:21

I agree Don there likely a lot of differences between the sailing you and I do. I tend to have sails of about 3 to 7 hours at a go, and don't have to deal with ocean swells so much as short steep chop. Frankly I would be ill-equipped to deal with much that you ocean sailors talk about. I'll never cross a river bar, and I have never had to read a tide table.

I do however spend a lot of time alone on the boat. Most of the lake crossings I do are alone, and many races are as well. In the steep chop, typical of Lake Simcoe the AP is pretty useless. Anytime I am pointing and wave heights are much over 2 feet, I can pretty much write of the AP. If the waves are less than that, I don't feel like I need an AP since things run pretty smoothly and steering is a pleasure, not a chore. When we are in a dead calm and I really want to use the AP while I do chores, steerage sucks no matter how the boat is being driven and I exert great amounts of energy to try and maximize every whisper and zephyr that comes my way without doing anything sudden to lose momentum. The AP fails me when I am looking for 1/10th of a degree course adjustments and it wants to corner harder. On the other end of the spectrum, at winds of 25 knots plus, using an AP is pretty risky, considering the strains on the rig. Last year we only had two races at over 35 knots of wind, and I did have my 13 year old out with me, she does well on the helm if I need her, but only for a short spell. Doing the night race at over 25 knots at 2 AM singlehanded was also interesting. That course was around 35 nautical miles by Google Earth. Neither of those would have seen use of the AP no matter how much I liked the machine.

If I have guests aboard for a pleasure cruise, they are usually pleased to take the helm, and I am happy to give it up. You are right, those are not times when AP would come to see much use.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 12:41:54

Roller furling for sure, had all the other stuff like lines run aft and traveler on the cabin top when I bough the boat.

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.