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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

How many 'hard-tops' out there?

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/08/2012 : 09:05:19

Hello,
I just joined the group this week; I have a deposit on a 1982 FK that I should own at the end of the month (fingers crossed). I wasn’t in the market, but when the asking price on a C-25 40 miles away dropped to less than I paid for the ’96 Accord I bought for my son in college, I had to go look. It had the fixed keel I wanted for coastal cruising, the traditional interior that I like and a marine head. I thought it would take about 10 minutes (maybe 20) to find out what was wrong with it and then I could go home. I’m still looking.

As soon as I stepped on board, I saw that it didn’t have the pop-top and I fell in love (it’s just a personal thing, I’m sure the pop-top is very handy). I didn’t know that the pop-top was an option; I thought all C-25s (and C-22s) had them. Since then, I have only heard of one other and I found that one by searching here for ‘pop-top’ so I didn’t just happen upon it.

Does anyone know what percentage of the C-25 fleet is ‘hard-top’?

Ken

Zen Again
1982 Catalina 25 #2818
FK/SR/Trad 'Hardtop'

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 09:12:25

I don't know Ken, but when I was looking I saw one at Torresens in Muskegon, so they are around.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 10:02:30

They're rare. In 30 years, I have only seen one. They don't offer standing headroom, but they are much more seaworthy, if you decide to venture offshore or get caught in big, steep waves.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 10:32:38

Mine is a hard top and the huge advantage of that is that you can mount a cabin top traveler.

Be advised, when you are down below, unless you're short, you'll be crouching a bit.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 11:33:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 Mine is a hard top and the huge advantage of that is that you can mount a cabin top traveler.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Very true! The C-25 mainsheet can be a bit of a nuisance, especially when it catches you at the neck during a jibe...

Mid-boom sheeting and a cabin-top traveler also allows for a bimini that covers the whole cockpit--rare on a C-25!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/08/2012 11:33:52

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 11:59:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by CarbonSink62
 As soon as I stepped on board, I saw that it didn’t have the pop-top and I fell in love (it’s just a personal thing, I’m sure the pop-top is very handy).<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have a pop-top C25 and every year, or two, it gets raised to clean underneath it.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 12:03:52

If I was strictly racing or day sailing, I'd want a hard top. But I love having the extra headroom and ventilation when cooking.

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 12:35:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 ...they are much more seaworthy, if you decide to venture offshore or get caught in big, steep waves.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That was my thought. When I'm miles out, pounding into the waves, I don't want to think about how my coachroof is made of 2 pieces.

Similarly, I don't want to think about how my keel can move.

Do the swing keels go 'thunk' in rough water? I wouldn't like that.

Not one bit.

Ken

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 12:46:22

PCP777, what is the t-track, that is mounted next to the handrail, used for?

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 13:13:32

Perhaps to pull the jib in tighter?

Edited by - NautiC25 on 03/08/2012 13:14:39

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 13:18:33

My keel doesn't "thunk" in short, 6' Lake Erie square saves. It doesn't have a keel locking system like my last boat, so I have stayed within 10 - 15 miles in the gulf, and on Lake Erie you are within about 25 miles of the US or Canadian shore. It wouldn't bother me to make the 50 mile jump from Alligator Point to Stienhatchee across Florida's Big Bend with a good weather window, or the jump over to the keys. The C-25 is not an offshore boat, but common sense and an understanding of weather can make any model a comfortable coastal cruiser.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 14:09:06

I have a "hard top" with a fin keel. Having never had a pop top I do not miss it. They are a nice option though. I can still stand up in the cabin if I open the hatch. It would not be a deal breaker for me but you will have to make that call. If you intend to trailer or sail in skinny water the swing keel is practically a necessity. I sail in deep water and going aground is not much of a worry. Been aground once in seven years. I also sail out to about 60 miles so the fin keel gives a nice feeling of security. If you go with a fin keel verify the condition of the keel bolts/studs. I am not sure if the 82 had the cast iron keel or the lead keel. Kind of in that transitional period between the two. You can usually replace the keel bolts in the lead keel if needed but if the studs in the cast iron keel are badly corroded you would need to have new studs installed adjacent to the old ones. Removing or replacing the old ones is practically impossible.

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blanik
Navigator

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Canada
210 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 15:28:47

i also have the fin keel/hard top, i can stand up where the galley is but i have to lower my head a bit as i go forward, it never bored me since we are usually seated in the cabin

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 15:58:01

we could never be without the pop top. Once we found a cover, that is the first thing to go up when we dock. The top isn't so big that it gives walk around room, a few steps and you are ducking again, but the larger volume does wonders for a "feeling" of comfort.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:30:39

I have a pop-top, but in 5 years of ownership, I've only raised it once. Given, I'm not too tall so it hasn't been a problem. Also, I've mostly used the boat as a day sailor.

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:39:51

I raise it all the time because I'm 6'1" and cook for overnighters.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:49:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 PCP777, what is the t-track, that is mounted next to the handrail, used for?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's another inside track for a jib car, if I was to use a hank on 100, for example, it would allow me to sheet in more to point higher. I also have a stay sail rig, I guess I could use it for that as well. In fact, I'm going to have to try that, run two head sails just for grins.

At some point someone was real serious about racing my boat. Aside from a full spin rig, after market traveler she has eight winches, four in the cockpit and four on the cabin top. The cockpit ones are useful for running spin, but I only use one cabin house winch. I also used to have four halyards. I have reduced that to three.

another shot, while running spin.

and the traveler...

If it wasn't for my love of my traveler, I would check out a pop top, even though I can stand up where the hatch slides back, we do stay on the boat a lot and it would be nice to have the extra ventilation and head room. As it is we use a lot of fans in we say very comfortable. We spent all weekend on the boat last weekend, well, while not racing on another boat. The C-25 has to have the most room I've ever seen on a 25 foot boat, I've seen much larger boats that dont have that much more room.

Edited by - PCP777 on 03/08/2012 16:52:11

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2012 : 19:15:15

My friend has a fin-keel, hard-top at the Berkeley Marina (CA)
I have a C250-WB

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2012 : 06:54:25

My less-than-scientific survey indicates that most of the 'hard-tops' are fin keel.

That makes sense.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2012 : 08:28:36

Pop top is a huge bonus for me. It's up as soon as I climb on the boat, and as soon as I anchor up for the night. I've sailed with it up and I motor with it up.

I'm 6'3"....when standing in the cabin, the roof hits my shoulders. Without the pop top I'd end up with a very sore back and neck. I'm looking forward to having a serviceable pop top cover.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2012 : 15:54:49

The guy who bought my C-25 from me hurt his back the first time he raised the pop-top. He immediately bought CD's gas strut kit, and then sold the boat to Bruce "Voyager" Ross. Recalling my own grunting and groaning as I lifted the top, I'd heartily recommend the kit--for safety as well as back protection.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 00:33:12

The gas strut kit is a definite must.

That said, I only use the pop top occasionally and would like to add four more "dogs" to it in order to make it more secure in heavy seas. Someone has suggested that using four through-bolts and the appropriate caulking, you can convert a pop top to a hard-top (more or less). I've given that some thought, but worry about leaks.

I also realized some time ago I have the plastic cover for when you raise the pop-top. As I said, since I use it so rarely, I'd be willing to sell the cover for the right price. I think I may post it in the swap meet.

If interested, pls make me an offer.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 05:35:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 The guy who bought my C-25 from me hurt his back the first time he raised the pop-top. He immediately bought CD's gas strut kit, and then sold the boat to Bruce "Voyager" Ross. Recalling my own grunting and groaning as I lifted the top, I'd heartily recommend the kit--for safety as well as back protection.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
When we installed the gas struts, the plastic clip that holds them onto tthe ball joint faild almost immediately. I wasn't impressed. Took the strut to an auto parts place, and they replaced it for $15. It may be possible to assemble a strut kit on the cheap using parts from liftgate kits.

Having the poptop for ventillation is more important than for standing headroom. Its like the difference between baking in an oven or sitting under a gazebo. We use it a lot in the dog days of summer.

Plus for dock parties, its nice to be part of the action, while you are still in the boat.

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