Association Forum - Pulled the trigger and bought it

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

Pulled the trigger and bought it

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

Kper
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/05/2013 : 18:22:33

We now own a C-25.
Not only our first Catalina but our first boat.

We took a friend of 20 years who has been sailing the great lakes for 30 years and owns 3 boats. He is the next best thing to a surveyor that I know and all my sailboat-owning friends say he would be their first choice to take along when looking at a boat.

He brought his tool kit which seemed to include everything except a moisture meter - or whatever he called it.

For 90 minutes he tapped and looked and tapped some more. All he could find was one area of delamination which was an area about 12x6 inches directly in from of the v-berth hatch. Wasn't soft and he said if it's a boat we'd like to keep we could easily fix it but could just as easily sail it without any issues.

It has 3 jibs - a genoa, storm and what looked like about a 130 and a main sail all in very good condition.

It has areas of cracking in the gel coat - I can post pics.

The worst areas were the mast wire loom connector on the deck - non existent. I'll HAVE to post a pic later of that one. The delam area and one obvious leak from a deck-to-hull bolt, I think.

There is an area on the keel I'd like to show you all for an opinion, too. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

My friend said except for the mast lights it's ready to sail.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice in my quest for information.

Kyle
'86 SR/SK/Dinette #5284 "Anodyne"
In the barn where we found her...

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2013 : 19:37:58

Well done, good for you.

Edited by - on

WesAllen
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2013 : 20:31:04

Good for you. It is exciting I know.

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 04/05/2013 : 20:35:28

Congratulations Kyle! Sounds like you did good ! ! ! Definitely post pics and let us know when and where you put her in the water and make your first sail.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 03:13:30

congrats.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 03:31:45

I asked about titles and the owner had a title on the boat but no title on the trailer, just a registration. The previous registered owner was the sailing club on a lake near me so since the assistant manager was somebody I worked with before he retired, I gave him a call. When I told him I just bought a C-25 that was registered to the sailing club he immediately said, "Oh, Zack's old boat". Turns out it was donated to the sailing club where it sat for years in indoor storage where the club tinkered on it but never sailed it. He said there was nothing bad to report about the boat but was going to get me the history. Turns out that the trailer has registration but a title is not required in Iowa.

I have to get to work but here is the first photo. I'm hoping the mast wiring harness connection is the worst problem. We'll see what you all have to say about future photos as I post them.

Mast light connection, or lack of:

Delamination area:

Same gel coat cracks in cockpit bit no signs of delamination:

Water around keel bolts:

Keel cracks:

Now I see the water marks in the photo but I don't recall seeing any cracks at the keel to hull joint.

Only bad paint area on the hull:

Got to get to work.
Thanks everyone.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 04:42:05

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Got to get to work.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yep, Now the fun begins.... Congrats!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 05:19:52

Well, looks like you did alright! You need to update your Sig now! With club-owned boats you no longer have 1 do, you have many. There may be some interesting fixes you come across.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 07:02:34

Is the hull # the middle 4 numbers in the VIN?

Funny story (funny today, not yesterday)... As we were inspecting the boat, I was below deck, my friend was in the cockpit looking at the engine and my wife was behind the boat. The owner climbed the ladder and entered the cockpit as I entered the cockpit from below. That's when I noticed the house in the distance behind the boat getting taller. For a split second I thought - what the...? and then it hit me. I jumped back down below and ran forward as the owner started squealing like a little girl. It settled back down after coming within a foot of the rudder, according to my wife. Turns out there is only about 80lbs tongue weight. I need to move the boat forward about 8-12 inches or add more weight up front. There is room to move the boat forward.

Speaking of boats and trailers, how much weight should be resting on the pads vs the bottom of the keel?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 08:07:05

Good work! Yes, the four digits are the "serial number" of the hull. The Hull Identification Number (HIN) starts with CTY (Catalina Yachts) K (for C-25) then your hull number, M (for the date format) 81 (your production year?) and a letter from A to L (for August through July respectively).

But now I'm confused (as usual)--did you end up with an '81? Obviously it's not the swinger you were thinking about, but I've lost track after that. Time to update your signature with the year, rig (SR or TR), and keel (FK). The hull# is optional... This stuff will help us answer the myriad of questions you're going to have, since things changed somewhat by year, and the keel and rig sometimes are factors.

With the fin (or "fixed") keel, most of the weight should be supported by the keel. The pads or bunks primarily keep the boat upright, with enough weight on each to keep it firmly in contact. I'd say think 75%+ on the keel.

The spider cracks in the cockpit are pretty normal--especially in the corner where you show them. Sometimes the gelcoat was too thick in that area inside the mold, and later shrinks from age and sun exposure.

The wiring connector can be tricky--there is probably no excess wire to pull up to make a connection to a receptical, and those wires run between the fiberglass and the plywood core. Some folks have simply re-wired from the switch panel, running the wires under the cabin sole or under the sidedeck into the head and up to the receptical, which (with the plug) can be purchased from Catalina Direct or other marine suppliers. I only see two wires--there should be at least a third, for the mast-head anchor light, the steaming light (on the front of the mast), and a common ground for the two. Some folks have a fourth wire for spreader lights shining down on the deck.

But that's stuff for later discussions...

Congratulations!

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 09:00:55

Dave, I can understand your confusion! I jumped around a bit asking questions on boats I had been considering. This boat I found by accident and it was close to home. I'm embarrassed to say that I THINK it's a SR, lol. I'm at work and when I get back to my office I wil update my sig block.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 09:57:01

That pneumatic motor mount is the same as mine. Very sturdy! It was designed for 2 strokes so it doesn't have quite enough lift for my Mercury Bigfoot, but I still wouldn't trade it for a spring mount. Honda 9.9's are the only motors that come close to the weight of a Bigfoot, so you should be in great shape.

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 10:09:12

Thanks, Dave!

Can anyone tell me what I should have for tongue weight?

Edited by - Kper on 04/06/2013 10:18:12

mycat
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 12:17:52

I am also new to sailboating and I have looking at a Catalina 25 as well.
May I ask how much did you pay for this boat?

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 12:33:55

9% to 15% of the gross trailer weight for a tandem axle, Not to exceed your hitch capacity

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 12:40:55

Are you sure? A class III max tongue weight without weight-distribution is 500#. I thought maybe 200...?

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 12:41:27

Mycat - $4k.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 12:54:06

Based on other reports here, I'd speculate your gross weight (boat + trailer + motor + stuff in the boat) will be 6500+ lbs.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 13:33:21

Congratulations on your "new" boat! You've now experienced one of the happiest days in a boat owner's life (there are two).

Nice that you'll be able to get some history on the boat and it seems like it's relatively good shape. I'd recommend you pick up [url="http://www.amazon.com/Caseys-Complete-Illustrated-Sailboat-Maintenance/dp/0071462848"]Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual[/url]. It'll take a lot of the mystery & hesitancy out of making your own repairs. Then ask away, there is a ton of knowledge about your boat here, and everyone is happy to chime in with advice & opinions.

We look forward to seeing how she progresses.

Edited by - on

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 04/06/2013 : 14:17:09

Kyle -

Congrats on the new boat. I'm sure you will be pleased with her. I got my C25-SK last year and enjoy it very much. The forum is a great resource for all of your questions. Definitely join the Catalina Owners Association as the Mainsheet magazine also has a great technical section for all Catalinas. I'm the C25/C250/Capri-25 Mainsheet editor so let me know if you would be interested in sharing your experiences in the magazine.

Regards,

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 05:15:31

Going by Dave's calculations putting the boat,Gear and trailer at 6500#, 10% of that puts the tongue weight at 650#. I guess this is not what you want to hear. I'm guessing that the PO has the boat back on the trailer to reduce the tongue weight to get by with what ever he was towing the boat with. Light tongue weight will make the trailer very squirmy to tow.
NOTE: Always choose a hitch that is strong enough to handle the maximum anticipated total weight of the trailer but does not exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle's owner’s manual for maximum towing and tongue weight limitations.
As I said earlier Congrats, Now the fun begins!

Edited by - islander on 04/07/2013 06:07:56

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 08:10:13

Thanks everyone. To get the boat home I am taking 2 buckets with 80 pounds of chains in each of them. I'm hoping this will give me enough ballast on the tongue to get it home.

I'm wondering if they placed the boat on the trailer like that to take the stress off the trailer extension? It has a trailer extension, also.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 08:32:16

re kper: sometimes things are less intended than you would think. Perhaps they simply set the trailer up wrong???
There are many things you can move forward in the boat forward of the axles to help you along: battery, outboard, boom, sails and your chains. Interstingly, I found this site about measuring actual tongue weight using only a bathroom scale:
http://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-to-determine-trailer-tongue-weight.aspx

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 08:32:35

I read an exhaustive article last year addressing the tongue weight issue inTrailering and RV magazine that actually road tests tow rigs with multiple vehicle/tow combinations. The recommendation for years was 7 - 10%. Sometime more recently it crept up to 10 - 15 % and they thought it needed to be tested. Their results debunked the new numbers using multiple multiple tows and vehicles. There is no advantage and some downside to going over 10%, and the vast majority of combinations did fine at 7%. Their recommendation was to start at 7% and work up if you have control issues. Notice that the above chart shows "up to" 10%.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 04/07/2013 08:45:31

BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 15:01:46

Kyle -

You should check out the modification that Henk Grasmeyer has made to his trailer with the extension. He incorporated a spare tire on a pivoting hub that rides on the ramp as you are launching or retrieving. I'll try to locate the posting. I always have understood the tongue weight to be 7-10% but I'm sure that may vary based on the number of axles.

Best regards,

Edited by - on

Kper
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
417 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2013 : 16:37:54

Is this what you're talking about, Brian?

http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=25842

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.