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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

When footitis strikes... Your advice?

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/13/2012 : 14:01:50

So I may or may not have this friend, and he is dealing with an annually recurring bout of x foot-itis.
I love my C25, but find myself looking longingly at catalina 270's as the next best thing for my sailing area.
But there are som many boats out there. So give me some advice- what boats do you think about when bigger boat-itis strikes?

--Skipper of the Unsinkable2
http://blog.unsinkable2.com
1977 Catalina 25 SK/SR #246 "Unsinkable 2"
1964 Lido 14 #1878 "Tomato Sloop"

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2012 : 14:44:21

I think about the increase costs and complexity of systems...and then go sailing on my fairly simple, but fun to sail C25. I owned a C30, and although I loved the way it sailed, I do not miss the extra costs and time spent not sailing because of maintenance or repairs. Maybe when I really retire, and have time for more than a weekend trip, I will jump back up to a bigger boat.

Not sure if I helped, but that's what I think when I walk around marina and look at the bigger boats.

tc

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2012 : 14:53:20

Ones I have no business even thinking about buying, much less owning. :)
A lot depands on where you intend to do most of your sailing. For example, although there are a few on our lake, I think boats larger than 26 ft. are impractical here because there are no haul-out facilities and we are land-locked. But, we also have houseboats on the lake, so go figure.
If you are coastal or on a navigable river, the possibilities are almost endless.
If you like the C-270, consider also the Capri 26 and other Catalinas up to the 30 and 309.

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/13/2012 14:53:57

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2012 : 16:43:54

i have a mentor who I have admired since the early 80s. As he aged and reached retirement he did not buy a 28 or 30 foot boat like everyone else seems to; he bought a Catalina 22. He can actually harden every line in his mid seventies as opposed to most retired people I know who are dealing with forces far beyond their physical capability. I followed my footitis and bought a 22 foot boat of my own and look forward to handling it for years to come.

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Joe Diver
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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2012 : 17:56:53

My next boat will be the keeper until I buy my retirement live aboard blue water boat.

I don't have a specific model or size in mind yet as I'm still 2 years away from this next boat...but I know what I want to accomplish:

I want standing headroom, air conditioning, hot/cold running water, shower and a comfortable, livable cabin. I want to back into my slip, and have a large (10x12 at least) patio, covered, with furniture, outdoor tv, grill, cabinets, fridge. I'll decorate it with lights and stuff. This will be my weekend and vacation "lake place", so I can sail during the day, come back to shore power and have a nice place to stay in the marina. Satellite TV will be nice.

I'm planning to spend around $50k on the boat and $300 a month on the slip.

My biggest problem is fighting the "I want it now" urges, and sticking with my plan to have my finances and budget ready for this.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2012 : 19:14:49

I really fell for the C-30 and 309, but finally convinced myself that a trailerable C-25 is the best boat for me. It limits my sailing range, but increases the venues - 500 miles/day instead of 50, but the Caribbean is out of reach. The Southern Cross 31 has always had a place in my heart, but the Admiral is not comfortable offshore ,and there is no point in having an offshore boat for inshore cruising.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 04:03:23

Having a 25 footer, a 27 footer does not interest me at all. It is not much of a size increase for me to make that switch. I occasionally think it would be nice to move up to a 30' or 32'. The sailing benefits/creature comforts are at least in my mind much greater. There is a noticeably increased deck to more easily negotiate when attending to things. The stability/weight/momentum is in a different category. Wheel steering and an inboard are common for this size sailboat and much more doable compared to a 27' with same features. Many 30' and 32' sailboats have showers and much more elaboarate galleys and inside cabin arrangements.

But then I think of the negatives: In my sailing area, increased draft is not a benefit. My present sailing, I really do not make that much use of the sailboat for overnighters and while one could justify the larger boat by it being more conducive for overnighters, the fact is that if I were doing more overnighters to begin with then I would appreciate the larger sailbaot. But if not getting opportunities to do many overnighters, then the larger boat with longer draft, starts to not be quite the overall benefit that it could be for me. The larger boat also would have higher dock and maintenance costs. Considering the tasks and maintenance I have performed on my 25', a 30' or 32' could cost significantly more annually for pretty much the same sailing I presently able to accomplish with my 25'

Though...it is nice to consider a larger boat.....you never know...

Edited by - OLarryR on 05/14/2012 09:53:26

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 04:57:48

I would like to have a Valiant to live on and travel all the oceans. Big problem-wife will not let me sell the house to get one. Guess I will keep enjoying my Catalina 25 as it fills my needs and is not expensive to operate and I can put it on the trailer and visit other lakes.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 05:54:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 I would like to have a Valiant to live on and travel all the oceans.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've often dreamt of retiring to a live aboard life and the Valiant was always my top choice. I just love those boats.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 06:13:59

The [url="http://www.valiantsailboats.com/mac/photos42.php"]Valiant[/url] IS a sweet boat, love double enders!

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 06:19:20

Bigger boat-itis = Catalina 310. Hopefully a year or two away. It will force me into a marina though...

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 06:24:56

Get a bucket of cold water.... put your head in and hold for a just a few minutes. Review your checking account. Go to the Gym.

If you repeat a few times the feeling will surely pass...

But seriously... I've had a Catalina 30 and a friend has a 27. It is so much more like going down into a camper... and spending my time hunting a good anchorage..

I'd much rather be out there sailing a 25.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 06:25:37

Prices today mean owning a big boat is cheap.

Prices today mean maintaining, and docking a big boat are for people with richer blood than I.

But big for me is over 35 ft. I get the itch looking at 30 - 32 ft boats.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 06:39:10

Yepper... the 30 was sweet.. I'd hafta say it also depends on where you sail as it can make a big difference.. We had a lot of skinny water in the Gulf coast bays.

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 07:22:39

I'm new to this, so take my comments with a grain of salt. But for me, part of the allure of a smaller boat is the ability to single hand. I know it's possible to do that with slightly larger boats, but after a point, it really becomes impractical. Unless you regularly have another, able-bodied person (or two) to help you sail, or are interested in moving to automated systems to assist you, there's a distinct uppper limit for the size of the boat.

I was out with a friend on a C38 about two months ago, and that really brought it home for me. We were in 15-20kt winds, and had both the main and jib up. I worked the sheets while he steered. I'm in my early 40's and, while not anywhere near my peak, am still in decent shape, and the jib sheets, even with a winch and handle, were a challenge at times. Early on in the sail, I had a sheet slip out of my grip and burn/cut my hands.

As you can see (this was taken the next day, and my hands are usually a nice yellowish color, not red) I wasn't hurt TOO bad. I mean, we continued to sail for a few hours, and I continued to man the sheets. But it could have been much worse. I quickly realized that, unless my wife was going to be at the helm all the time (not a practical scenario if you want to try any extended cruising, which is, I assume, one of the main reasons for going with a larger boat), there was no way we'd be able to handle a C38 any time soon (not until our boys get much older and can help!).

Edited by - JimGo on 05/14/2012 07:30:01

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 08:25:32

Two words..."Sailing gloves".

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 08:31:49

I didn't own any at the time, and I was traveling. I won't make that mistake again!

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redeye
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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 08:41:30

And you buddy should have provided. I've got several pairs and different sizes onboard. Your guests forget, or don't know the importance..

Happens fast...

Grlfrnd got burned bad last year trying to hold a horse.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 08:51:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 I mean, we continued to sail for a few hours, and I continued to man the sheets. But it could have been much worse. I quickly realized that, unless my wife was going to be at the helm all the time (not a practical scenario if you want to try any extended cruising, which is, I assume, one of the main reasons for going with a larger boat), there was no way we'd be able to handle a C38 any time soon...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If it had an autopilot, I'm sure you'd be able to handle it as an autopilot changes the equation immensely.

Singlehanding is mostly a state of mind. Check out the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society website. These guys (and girls!) race, not around the cans, but long distance, multi-day events all while singlehanded on up to 50+ footers.

One more thing, and this may sound odd, but for me it is easier to singlehand my boat than it is sailing with crew.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/14/2012 09:03:42

pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 10:06:36

Jim - without reading your post, I thought the wedding ring was your cure for "foot-itis."

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 10:10:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pfduffy
 Jim - without reading your post, I thought the wedding ring was your cure for "foot-itis."
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

LOL

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 11:11:21

I get an innoculation against this every spring. You can get yours here as well:

http://www.irs.gov/

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 11:44:55

Seems like I debate this every year (at least once).

I always end up back with my 25, but the things that I like about the 270 are the open layout, wider decks, open access at the transom, trailerability, and headroom (I'm not a tall guy, but have managed to hit my head more times on the folding door track than I care to remember.)

I really appreciate the insights on downsizing later to extend my sailing years. I can see that's very wise counsel. I'm early 40's, so I have a while before I need to make that decision, but it's now in my head and I will start setting my own expectations that direction.

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 11:55:14

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2012 : 15:06:29

Footitis -- The age old dilema.

As far as "the" boat, you change size either because you want larger or smaller OR you want new vs. used. IMHO going from a C25 to a C270 does not buy more boat but it does buy a newer boat with potentially fewer short term repairs, just as much maintenance and a very differnt layout. If you want a larger boat then look at the C30/310/309 or even the 320 or 34. All are well made, excellent sailors and cover the waterfront as to cost. The three diget boats are newer (and more expensive). I think the used 30 is the best overall value in cruising boats. But this is not about me this is about you.

Then their is the checkbook. Whatever you buy, make sure you LOVE it or the costs will seem punitive vs doable. Sometimes investing that money to do the larger repair projects on an existing boat will yield greater satisfaction for less total investment.

Finally, if the 27-28 ft size is what you want and/or the newer "open" layout is of interest, check out the Pearson 27, ODay 272 and Capri 26 -- all made in the late 80's into the early 90's and offer good value as well.

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