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2000 Catalina 250

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NewSailor
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/15/2012 : 23:55:32

As luck would have it I just received a 2000 Catalina 250 as a gift. While I am an avid watergirl (I surf, dive and grew up on powerboats), I have no idea how to sail. I'm reading as much as I can but about half the words are foreign.

I have the boat wet slipped in a lake for about $100 per month. It seems to be intact and in good condition, albeit very dirty and covered in bird droppings.

So what should I do with it? Should I learn to sail (how long will that take?) Should I sell it (What's the value - I have seen $6k - $20k)? Should I lease is to a sailing club?

All helpful and thoughtful feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 04:32:09

Congrats on your gift !

I will leave the decision regarding leasing to a sailing club to others to comment on. Whether to keep it to use yourself or sell it, this is a gift with strings attached if you keep it for sailing yourself. Besides the slip fees which seem low compared to what many pay which can be more than double your slip fees, there is the insurance which is really a necessity to protect yourself against boat loss or damge to your boat or others and against any injuries to you or others. Then there is the upkeep which means labor and cost to keep it clean and maintained. Those bird droppings, if not removed on a frequent basis will stain the topsides. That is the minimum maintenance involved, just regularly washing it down and keeping it stain free. Being out in the sun will if cause oxidation of the deck and hull sides if the boat is not regularly waxed or a protective coating such as polyglow applied. There are many that do not wax twice a year or coat their boat with polyglow, etc annually and no problems for perhaps a year or two but the hull sides will start to deteriorate without care. Same goes for any wood exposed to the sun (such as the tiller) unless covered. Wood trim is also protected with one of varied finishes applied. The outboard will also need regular/annual servicing besides some attention given to ensuring you do not have gas sitting in the outboard's fuel lines/internally and the portable gas tank for too long without using it regularly and replenishing it. gas in fuel lines tends to clog up the passages and old gas in the tank is prone to absorbing moisture.
I recall, many, many years ago winning a CB radio at the bank near work. They were having a promotional contest. That "gift" wound up costing me since I then had to buy an antenna and believe something else and the wind up was that I really was not into using the CB radio...so it was a gift that really had no benefits to me except some extra cost I had to lay out. Selling your gift/boat, you will obviously reap the dough and can consider that your "gift" .

I could go on and on regarding potential costs and attending to maintenance if you keep the boat for yourself. Those that do keep a boat would probably look at the maintenance/costs as something that is the trade off for the sport/hobby that they love. So, you would need to explore fairly quickly just how you take to sailing and if it is something that you enjoy on a weekly basis, then some of the drawbacks will fade in the background. If you do nothing and just decide to hold on for now keeping it, the boat will given time cost you the slip fee and the boat will depreciate at a faster rate when it does come time to sell it.

In my case, I like sailing but the boat is also a hobby as well as a sport in that I work many improvement projects and so the cost of maintaining it is not something that I generally would compare as to merits of keeping it alone but also as to the enjoyment I get getting out there relaxing, sailing or working improvement projects.

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 08:00:31

Oh my GOD who are your friends, and are they willing to send GIFTS OUR WAY?

Oh and I read through what Larry said, and I hope he isn't telling you beware of people bringing gifts.... I really don't think that was how it was meant.

Ok, getting a sailboat gifted to you is a calling if I ever heard one. The Catalina 250, is like getting gifted a fully optioned out car as a gift... Again nice friends.
Lemme help to sell you on learning to sail... first please take these pictures to heart:
The boat in the foreground is a Catalina 250:
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Here it is a little closer:
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The 250 is a beautiful, fun cruiser, that you can learn to sail easily. My suggestion is, at the marina she is berthed, you introduce yourself to the local sailors. While some sailors are a rough and hearty bunch, most are VERY eager to teach/sail on another's boat. If they won't come "show you the ropes" on your boat, offer to crew on theirs!

As for bird droppings... well, yeah, goes with the territory. Softscrub will get most of it off... Softscrub with bleach will get the stains off (watch that stuff around canvas/clothes though).

Right about now you are wondering if it's all worth it, the work that is... The answer is a resounding yes.

Here are some things you can do to make that "gift" one of the best ones you've ever gotten.
Try to join the local sail club (not the yacht club, just the sail club).
Take some ASA classes if they are available in your area.

Start out "easy." Motor first, get used to steering, slowing, backing up, and docking (hint in docking, boats don't steer while stopped, a dockline slipped over a cleat can help stop the boat when you jump off onto the dock).

When you have a nice light wind day (forecast for 0-6mph winds)... raise JUST the main. Learn how to hoist, and set, and lower it. By doing, let the sail out, let it in... see what directions you can sail in and not... be ready with the motor if you get too close to shallow water. But experiment.

For the first year or so, I'd keep your sailing in winds less than 10mph. At least until you are comfortable with heel, and that the boat isn't going to go over and sink. This seems to be a huge sticking point for new sailors. Rest assured the 250 is a VERY stable boat.

For the record, in the pictures above. My Capri 25 was reefed (means smaller sails), and the guy on the 250 had all his sails flying. Winds were 10-12 gusting to 17. While I was fighting my boat to keep it fast and flat (less heeling) he was talking away on his cellphone in a nice comfortable cruise.

Something I'd wager a bottle of rum on, not just ANY Rum mind you Goslings Black Seal ... if you take a whole season (summer)... and sail that boat, and go sailing with some others who already know how... you get a few "sunset cruises" under your belt... You'll wonder why you hadn't done this before, you'll certainly not want to get rid of the boat.

As a final note. Catalina is probably one of the best supported brand name sailboats on the market. If you need ANY part for it, you likely can get the part cheap, shipped to your door, and the people you call to order it from can tell you how hard (or not) it is to do the fix yourself, from http://www.catalinadirect.com I hate to be an ad, but honestly, they are a great bunch of people.

Oh and one question... Where are you located. We may have members near you who'd be glad to crew with you and get you started.

Finally seeing as (at least in our parts) it's near end of season... for this season anyway, it may be helpful to pay someone to haul (pull out of the water) the boat for you (if they do that where you are)... In a year and digging through the archives here, you may have the tools to prep it yourself, but for now the game is to keep the learning curve as easy as possible.

Edited by - shnool on 11/16/2012 08:43:36

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 10:18:05

Completely agree with John's comments. My comments, I guess reading through it sounds overly negative but that's just because I wanted to give a balanced understanding since many are not into boating and so wanted to provide some understanding of it all. Obviously, my comments are not exactly what I would call a model for marketing getting into sailing. John provided a great endorsement of sailing !

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 10:45:56

re: endorsements into sailing, as sailors I think it is our duty to promote and represent through good examples in order to foster and grow the sport. Sailing is a great time.

NewSailor said she has spent time on powerboats: My wife is a power boat lover, so I started on the C25 in order to feel the waters. She loves the water, and really likes sailing now. We still struggle with stowage exp in such a small space.
In the beginning, I conveyed to her that sailing is about the journey, while powerboating is more focused on destinations. In a sailboat (and frankly displacement hull powerboats too) you aren't going very fast, but with only the wind in the sails it is so very peaceful and enjoyable. Being able to sail along carrying on conversation, enjoy food and the water really makes the time en route what I look forward to.

John has good comments on getting introduced into sailing. Get someone to sail along with you, or sail on their boat, ask questions and have fun. It is very simple to sail, while extremely difficult to master.

Edited by - on

szymek
Navigator

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Canada
209 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 12:23:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ape-X
 It is very simple to sail, while extremely difficult to master.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is so true!!!!

The only way to learn is to read up a bit and get out there. People always look for crew and 99% of sailors will be happy to take new person and teach them.

This is sort of off topic, but funny story to tell about sailing experience. We do a lot of marina hopping on lake Ontario so we meet all kinds of great people! Few months ago, I met this one fellow that lives on CS30 in Bahamas. After living aboard for few months, he came back to Ontario to sell off rest of his stuff, hence ended up hanging out at the marine. After few drinks we started sharing stories about all kinds of sailing mishaps / adventures that we had and somehow we ended up talking about years of sailing experience. With a very serious face he states "I have approximately 150 years of experience". I think to myself - "I think we'll be putting the drinks away". I think he realized that I'm starting to think that he has few screws loose, but.... he quickly explained that this marina has lots of experienced sailors with 20+ years of experience, where in fact they actually go out sailing once a month if they're lucky. Where on the other hand he's been sailing only for 13 years but he's been out nearly every day and last couple years got into blue water sailing. Anyways... made me laugh and i found it very true.

All in all sailing is an amazing sport and you will find sailors are always very helpful and will always be willing to help out and teach new person. So as mentioned above: read up a bit so you understand the basics, talk to other folks around you and volunteer to crew on their boats and ask someone to go out with you few times so you get a feel for it on your new amazing boat.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 14:39:40

There are several books that will help you get up to speed, my all time favorite for new sailors is: [url="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Sailor-Second-David-Seidman/dp/0071749578"]The Complete Sailor[/url]. That link is to the second edition which I haven't read, but I've had three copies of the first edition, and the only one I still have is the one I gave to my wife. The other two disappeared with other folks I've taught to sail. The book will take you through all the terms you'll need to know, why you do things, how you do things, and lots of good illustrations. It's designed to bring a complete novice up to speed, but I still read parts of it now & again just to brush up on something.

You've gotten a pretty good start on advice from the other folks, so I won't add to that except to say the piece about finding one of us locally to get you started on your boat would be worthwhile. A number of us are "port captains" who have tasked themselves with being available should someone come into town who'd like to go on a sail. Avail yourself of the offers.

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 14:47:51

please do let us know where you are from, and if you are still looking to sell I am betting you'll get a line of people from here interested in that boat.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4316 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 19:12:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Completely agree with John's comments. My comments, I guess reading through it sounds overly negative but that's just because I wanted to give a balanced understanding since many are not into boating and so wanted to provide some understanding of it all. Obviously, my comments are not exactly what I would call a model for marketing getting into sailing. John provided a great endorsement of sailing !
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yeah, you just pushed me over the edge to sell my boat! :)

Edited by - on

NewSailor
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 19:44:06

Thanks for all of the feedback!! I did a little more research today and came up with some additional info and also wanted to answer some of your ??

1. I live in Los Angeles and the boat is in Ventura in a lake slip.
2. The boat is NOT a 2000, but is a 1979. (I feel like that fact might change everything)
3. I think its a keel, not WB, but I'm not positive.
4. I don't really have family or people around to sail with, but that doesn't really matter all that much; with the ocean, you're never really alone. I would love to meet anyone who is in this area.

Shannon

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2012 : 21:47:52

more reasuon to make friends at the boat to help you look into the boat. they can provide more information on what may be needed. Old/New this forum provides good information for anyone "handy". ENjoy

1979: Will have an iron keel. If under the steps there is a little tube, and crank you have a swing keel, otherwise a fin keel. When you get a chance to go to the boat, take lots of pictures, and post up along with inventory and members here can give helpful info if you don't want to ask someone local.

Again, if you love the water, you likely will enjoy sailing. The motion of a sailboat is much easier (smoother) than a powerboat.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2012 : 07:24:24

A 1979 is a Catalina 25, not a 250. That's a great boat too though, for many of the same reasons listed here. It is very predictable to sail, which makes it a great boat to learn on.

It would either have a swing keel or a fixed keel. If there is a winch in the middle of the cabin then it is a swing keel. There are maint concerns with those that I have little idea of, but which are discussed here frequently.

Sailing classes are well worth it and I think will get you understanding the basics much faster than any book. I read 3 sailing text books before taking classes and the books were useful, but the classes were much more useful. There is nothing that makes up for sailing time, and I do think that it is best to learn from someone who knows what they are doing. A sailing instructor (vs just a friend who helps) will make sure that you learn not only the basics but also safety drills such as man overboard rescues.

As you've guessed a 1979 boat can be in almost any condition. The big ticket items to have checked out before deciding to keep or sell it are the condition of the sails, mechanical condition of the motor, keel condition, and the state of the rigging. A full survey would check and tell you a lot more, but if these basic items are in good condition then it is probably worth holding onto the boat long enough to learn how to sail and see if it is for you. If you need to spend money repairing the boat then I'd either learn how to survey it yourself (if you are handy) or pay for a survey (about $500) to check on it's full state. For the quick survey on sails, motor, rigging, etc, I'd talk to people at your slips and see if anyone was willing to give it a quick look over in exchange for providing lunch or some other favor. Someone else who owns a C-25 (they are very common) and who seems to use it a lot could probably give you a quick and fairly accurate opinion with 20-30 minutes of poking around.

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