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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

differences between an 84 and 89 models.

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/29/2003 : 18:01:11

I'm trying to learn the differences between these model years.

Here is what I think I know.

89: Moved batteries and electrical panel to behind companionway steps.
89: Holding tank moved to under v-berth.
89: More headroom?
89: Table has white formica top.
89: Shore power connector moved to inside the port cockpit "alcove".
89: Extra teak toe strip on cabin top.
89: Spice rack with sliding doors.
89: Tinted forward hatch.

Both should have:

Through hulls.
Lead keels.
Same cockpit and lockers setup.
Bow running lights on the bow pulpit.

Are both boats identical except for the "89" changes I listed?

Did I miss anything?

Thanks,

Paul

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2003 : 19:01:01

<b>"I'm trying to learn the differences between these model years(84 and 89)."</b>

After a quick look on Yachtworld, iboats, Boattrader,...etc, it appears the biggest difference is that one can find an 84'.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2003 : 09:01:29

Hi Don,

That's for sure.

I kind of like the older models better anyway. Although, I think the new battery and holding tank placements are better on the newer ones.

Why did Catalina put the electrical panel behind the companionway steps? Probably to save money, but the location is terrible.

PW

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2003 : 09:17:02

The area behind the the companionway steps might well be used for cracking nuts but not much else. When I retrofitted the swing I wanted to find a use for the area there but could envision stomping anything so placed. Great for walnuts and such but seems to me anything else would just be in harms way.

Electrical panel you say, better be bomb proof don't you think?

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Val Bisagni

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2003 : 09:31:28

Hi Paul,

Some of the other differences between '84 and '89:
1) The '89 has a flat floor in the main saloon while the '84's floor is split by about a 2" drop to the starboard half; and a dip to the galley space.

2) The stern pulpit is completely different between the two years. On the '89 the mainsheet traveler is integrated into the pulpit. On the '84 the mainsheet traveler is attached directly to the top of the transom.

3) The transom on the '84 has a "cutaway" in the middle third to accomodate the tiller. On the '89 the top of the transom is not cut away.

4) The deck and cabin top on the '89 is a new mold. With this change, a different (smoked plastic) foreward hatch in incorporated. The "T" track for the genny lead cars is moved from the toerail to inboard next to the cabin sides. The cockpit coamings are completely changed. And opening ports are included for the head compartment (although this change was introduced in '86). Incidentally, the genny track is much shorter on the '89 too. On the '84 the track extends from the upper shrouds aft to the mooring cleat of the aft quarters. On the '89 the genny track only extends from the aft lower shroud to about 5" ahead of the winches.

5) The '89 model eliminates the dinette interior and the swing keel too. Only the traditional interior was listed and the two keel options were the fixed fin and the fixed wing keels.

6) Oh yes, in the galley, the storage shelf has a moving door system on the '89 model. On the '84 there is only a shelf with a pinrail.

7) Finally, the original rudders are completely different. On the '84 the rudder is of the original design with a straight leading edge. Some owners complained that this design contributed to too much weather helm and difficult steering. The '89 model has a "balanced" rudder in which the leading edge actually extends forward of the pintles & gudgeons, and under the skeg a few inches. By all accounts, the new rudder greatly reduces the heavy feel on the tiller in stronger winds.

Don is sure correct in his view on availability. During the early and middle '80s, somewhere around 800 c25s were produced each year. By '89 and '90 there was an unacknowledged resession and a "luxury tax" that both affected the boating world dramatically. One day in Frank Butlers office at the Catalina factory, Frank told me that he did not produce a single C25 for two years. And, that finally, he brought out the C250 hoping that a new design would bring things around.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

BTW: PW, I think the electrical panel was moved for convenience of installation. Crawling into the portside cockpit locker just wasn't nearly as easy as simply reaching into the quarterberth locker.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2003 : 00:45:21

Did you know that the total production of 1989 Catalina 25's with a wing keel was 224?

I just found that out From Lindsey, at Catalina Direct.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2003 : 00:58:24

<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
How about that? I've got one of those 224 wing models!! When I began looking for a C25 I looked to this group to see what was the "hottest" model, even though I could / would have bought any C25 in good condition. Just lucked out when a friend ran across one for sale. We bought it immediately. It's a really, really nice design and sails so smooooothly compared to our previous C-22. Now, if I could just manage to get it in the water someplace close real soon. I need some on-the-water time.....<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

C25 tall/wing
Classical Cat #5944

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2003 : 01:44:24

Gary:

In the words of Bob Barker (or the guy you never see who actually says it), "Come on down..."! The weather here (LA Harbor area) has been fantastic the past few weeks. I'm sure there's an open slip around here somewhere.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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