Association Forum - Looking at a C25

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

Looking at a C25

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 05:21:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The particulars of what equipment to get doesn't seem to concern my wife other than creature comforts... Bimini top, Pop top cover - those things get her attention.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This is true..... until the outboard craps out, 5 miles from the marina and it's 15 minutes until dark...and the wind has died down....

That will get her attention very quickly...

The outboard may not be as important on an inland lake. But for me, when I was entering Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico, heading to the Manatee river, my old 1987 Mercury began to give me problems, I was about 25 miles from home, I decided I could no longer fool around with that old 2-stroke and purchased a new outboard.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 07:17:14

For trailering: C22, C25 swing or C25 wing keel then fin and finally C27 in that order.

For your wife's comfort and requests, C25 in swing or wing seems to fit the bill. There are always plenty available with the swing keel being the most popular for sale. Be patient and you will be able to find the swing or wing 25 with trailer at a decent price. Yahctworld likely will be limited in offerings, as that is a broker site. What you want is private sales: ebay, craigslist, sailboat listings and sailnet. Others can offer sites to look at

The C27 is a big boat to launch and haul. It is a much bigger boat than the 25.

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

Members Avatar

345 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 08:49:15

I purchased sails from Island Planet. The Main was 575 and the roller furling 135 was 625. I don't race and these sails are great. IMO

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 08:50:17

With a fin keel on a trailer, you'll most likely need to lift her on and off. The wing (which draws only a couple of inches more than the fully-raised swing) is much more ramp launchable. I still would recommend keeping her in a slip, or even on a mooring, for the season--a C-25 is a big project to set up and take down for trailer-sailing, and you'll make much more use when you can just walk out on the dock and step aboard! Meanwhile, in 4-5 years, the bills for winter storage might pay for a new trailer.

The C-25 wing only began production around 1986, and replaced the swing entirely by 1988. It'll be priced a little higher due to vintage and attractiveness. There are a some ones that are after-market retrofits of a casting from Catalina that fits into the swing keel trunk. This is generally done after a swing keel cable failure or two, and enhances the value of the boat, but probably not by as much as it costs to buy, ship and install.

Your friend's C-27 is a "wide load" in most states--the C-25, at 8', is not in any state I know of. His strategy for teaching you sailing is excellent--I even recommend the Sunfish or Laser for the same purpose.

When you say "room for 4 people", do you mean overnight, or for day-sailing? The C-22 has a very nice day-sailing cockpit and sit-down cabin. For daytime use, you could rig a curtain between the companionway and the potty. For overnights, I agree with her. That was one of the criteria for my past C-25 and my current Eastern 27. At my age, I have middle-of-the-night needs...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/19/2013 09:02:07

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 11:44:49

If you are going to look at this boat I would like to add to the list of things to look for, Looking at your tiny photos it looks like there is a teak floor grate on the cockpit floor... This can be cosmetic or hiding a soft floor. Many C25's have developed this. Its a large job to fix or like some you can leave the grate and just sail the boat. Also don't expect a C25 to sail like your friends 42. As long as the boat doesn't require some safety work I would just sail it the first year. You never know if a 25ft boat fits you and your family. Maybe you want somthing different or bigger. This will also let you have time to decide on what upgrades are more important and which ones can wait. Looking back when I bought mine it would be the reefing system and lines led to the cockpit Any way good luck with the search and welcome.

Edited by - islander on 03/19/2013 12:02:49

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 11:48:03

Kyle, depending on how far you want to travel, I may know of some local boats that could interest you.

Fire me off an email and I can put you in touch.

cpotvin73 at gmail.com

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 11:55:31

Islander's message above is a good one. Part of the reason to have a survey done.

Dave, I think he's planning on trailering it to a crane, then slipping it for eth summer. His trailer needs are only between the house and marina.

If you buy a boat with a bad trailer, keep in mind that you will need to have a new cradle, trailer, or boatstands enter your life.

Boatstands are cheapest and likely easiest to store, but the least versatile.
Cradle is about $1200 (around here) and tough to store. Some clubs/marinas now require folding cradles so they take up less space. You may get lucky and find a used cradle. The same cradle fits a C-25, C-27, and I think C-30 as long as the pads are adjustable. I had the shop drawing once, but now its gone. If someone you know is heading south with a C-30 you may be able to buy/rent their cradle while they are gone.
Trailer is most expensive, and can be most cumbersome to store (depending on whether you have an acreage or live in town), but can also be the most versatile option, and is the only one of the three that really gives you the option of saving money through creative winter storage, as you have already discovered. It is also the only one of the three that will cost you in maintenance.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 14:12:15

Every time I log in I learn something new from here!

My friend with the 42' was bad mouthing the wing keel saying thay sail terrible. I have not heard that from anyone but I do believe to get an advantage in one area you will sacrifice in another. The trailer advantage would simply mean I sacrifice elsewhere should his statement hold water. That's something I'm willing to sacrifice but, personally, I think if they were as bad as he says then owners would be talking about it. He also made the comment that if I were ever to find the bottom that a wing is going to stick like a suction cup. My philosophy is "don't bottom".

Edited by - Kper on 03/19/2013 14:12:59

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 16:00:48

I've raced my C25 wing keel, and it seems to do pretty good against the competition. I had it converted from a swing, and don't notice an appreciable difference. It also sits at the same level on the trailer as when it was a swing.

it's for sale, incidently in Columbus, Ohio; asking $9k.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 17:32:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 Every time I log in I learn something new from here!

My friend with the 42' was bad mouthing the wing keel saying thay sail terrible. I have not heard that from anyone but I do believe to get an advantage in one area you will sacrifice in another. The trailer advantage would simply mean I sacrifice elsewhere should his statement hold water. That's something I'm willing to sacrifice but, personally, I think if they were as bad as he says then owners would be talking about it. He also made the comment that if I were ever to find the bottom that a wing is going to stick like a suction cup. My philosophy is "don't bottom".

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

I have owned a OD racer boat and a wing keel in my time, of course the fine fin keel racer was spectacular to handle but the wing is a fine configuration which sailed very well for me.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 18:58:03

I've sailed on a SR/FK next to a TR/WK, and neither had a noticeable advantage. A wing, while typically shallower, has two things going for it: (1) a greater concentration of weight at its bottom, and (2) a surface (the wing) that becomes more vertical as the boat heels, increasing lift when the fin keel is losing it. There's a reason the Aussies demolished the USA with the first wing keel in the 1983 America's Cup. That led to the wing being the cruising sailor's answer to a good-performing shoal keel.

I've heard the "suction cup" and "anchor" argument before, and wouldn't be concerned. On the other hand, any sailor who tells you he hasn't run aground is either lying about that, or lying about being a sailor.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/19/2013 19:00:40

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2013 : 19:18:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 ...On the other hand, any sailor who tells you he hasn't run aground is either lying about that, or lying about being a sailor.

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

He did tell me that there are two kinds of sailors... those who have run aground and those who will!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2013 : 06:56:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kper
 He did tell me that there are two kinds of sailors... those who have run aground and those who will!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Actually those two categories overlap.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2013 : 07:10:30

He missed the third category - those that lie.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2013 : 10:12:17

The three keels, as you realize, all have trade offs, but I really doubt that there is enough difference to matter for most of us. I love the benefits of my swing, but no keel maintenance is probably a better fit for a newbie. One less thing to think about! A 1500 # swing keel is not a centerboard or daggerboard. The price of a newer boat might be a negative for a wing, but you also get many improvements as the C-25 evolved. Catalina diidn't make C-25 MK I's, II's and on, they just made a continuous flow of improvements over the years. Get a copy of Don Casey's Inspecting The Aging Sailboat and start looking at boats. I think you will get a very honest assessment if you buy from anyone here selling.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2013 : 18:03:40

I've got a wing and while it may not point as high it's faster on downwind legs and I can go anywhere a 20' powerboat can go.

I really wanted a fin keel but found such a good deal on my wing I had no choice but go with the wing. Once I got it and realized all the benefits of a wing in the shallow waters I sail in I was really glad it worked out this way.

Unless your racing the slight loss in pointing ability will not be noticeable. Most of us are good sailors but not good enough that the keel choice will make that much difference in day to day use. It only takes a short lapse of attention and all benefits one keel type has over another is wiped out.

If you're a weekend sailor not racing, buy a boat with whatever keel will work in your waters and get you out on the water for a price that works for you.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2013 : 06:33:43

Ask local sailors if draft matters (or check charts) before picking a keel. Here in Seattle there is no advantage to a low draft boat. So with a swing keel you get the disadvantage of maintaining it, and with a wing keel you get the disadvantage of reduced performance, but there is no useful advantage.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2013 : 06:53:17

I had a swing keel boat and now a fin. With both, I avoided sailing the shallows like the plague, even more so with the swinger.

Edited by - on

Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2013 : 08:38:40

I have been thinking of Traiding up, and may have just what you are looking for. A nice Catalina 25 swingkeel that has many, many upgrades, includes trailer and more. Give me a call at 309-368-9020. I am located in North Henderson, Illinois. Boat has only been sailed on river, and stored in a barn in the winter

Edited by - on

Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2013 : 10:36:28

I am interested in selling my very nicely redone Catalina 25 swing keel, and it has a trailer, lots of new add on's. I am thinking of upgrading to a different size Catalina. I am located in North Henderson, IL, and have photos, etc. Sailed only in fresh water - wintered in a barn - great condition and lots of "stuff" You can call me on my cell phone 309-368-9062. Stephen.

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.