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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Sails

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SailAway
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/27/2014 : 15:45:11

I just bought a WB 250 and it needs new sails. I was told that a 135 jib "overpowers" the boat. I'm not sure what that means though. Could someone explain?

I also need recommendations for where to buy good sails (new) at a lower price. I mostly day sail with an occasional non-competitive fun race. Anyone heard of *** North America?

Greg

Greg Franklin
2002 C250 WB #649
Carlyle, IL

Edited by - on

SailAway
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2014 : 15:48:42

I meant Precision Sails North America. I don't know where the *** came from.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2014 : 15:56:27

Greg, we have a C250WB (2005)

We have a 110% jib on a CDI furler. We also have a 150% jib in a bag.

I have used the 150% jib just a couple of times.

The 110% jib is our go to sail. We often furl it along with at least 1 cringle on the main.

So I would agree that the 135% jib is too much.

Paul

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2014 : 16:29:17

I was following the early years of the C-250 when I was in the market and ended up buying a C-25... Catalina started out offering a C-250 TR and the 135 as options. (They also made a few fin keels--I've seen one of them.) Within a couple of years, they dropped the tall rig and offered the 135 only on the wing keel model. So apparently, they concluded the boat tended to be tender--the WB more so (not surprisingly). As for "overpowered", that's in the eye of the beholder, and is generally based on the heel angles reaching a point where the boat might be slower than when it's more "on its feet." But the C-250 has clearly not been targeted to a racing audience--it's a "family boat." So they've apparently tried to keep the design in line with keeping green water out of the cockpit.

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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2014 : 17:10:03

I have a 2000 C250 WK and I need to replace my 135 jib. I have decided that the 110 will be better for my purposes. Any recommendations as to where to purchase the sail.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2014 : 18:37:21

I guess it depends on the prevailing sailing conditions of your area as to which sail to use. My 250WK came with a 150 on the CDI so that's all I've ever used and what I'm accustomed to. I have a 135 but I've never used it. My boat doesn't have a 110.

The winds on Pensacola Bay are pretty steady without gusts usually and as the winds near 15kts I'll roll the 150 in a little to keep the heeling around 15 degrees but no more than 20 degrees. The 150 is great at about 10kts of wind. Maybe I'll try the 135 this summer just to see how it handles.

Our local sail maker is Schurr Sails, I've used them since 1979 and highly recommend them.

Edited by - Tradewind on 04/28/2014 18:39:07

SailAway
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2014 : 10:27:18

Thanks everyone for the information. I just ordered a new Ullman main and 110 furling jib from Catalina Direct. Believe it or not, CD included more options and were less expensive than going directly through Ullman!

Greg

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2014 : 08:37:31

Greg, the first thing I would do if I got a replacement jib from Catalina Direct would be to take it to a sailmaker and have a sunbrella cover sewn on the leech. The stock sails have a Dacron cover that offers little or no sun protection after the second season.

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SailAway
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2014 : 10:38:56

Willy, thanks for the heads up! CD offers the Sunbrella cover as an option so I just called to see if it was too late to switch it. They said since it's only been about a week since I placed the order, they could make the switch. So, for an additional $95 I'm getting the Sunbrella cover instead of the UV Dacron cover.

Greg

Edited by - on

ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2014 : 10:59:05

Although I sail on a wing keel which is probably a little stiffer than a WB, I think that the negativity surrounding the idea that our boats are tender is a little overblown (excuse the pun). I do most of my sailing in Narragansett bay which is a pretty big body of water with a steady southerly breeze. At first I had a 150 and in most conditions it was pretty good. Now I have a 135 but the sailmaker made it too big, and its actually little bigger than my previous 150. I find that it still works well and can keep sailing in pretty much the same conditions bigger, supposedly more seaworthy boats can handle, even if I have to roll in a couple of inches on a beat. Plus its kind of fun to have that extra sail hanging out there when on a low wind beam reach, or when sailing down wind. The truth is you and your crew get used to a boat and the knowledge of how your boat sails is what makes you a good sailor.

If you have other issues to tackle, I wouldn't sweat the 135 too much. You may find you like that extra bit of sail.

Vern Wright
Hajime

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 04:27:06

Vern,
I have sailed both the wing and the water ballasted 250 and they are dramatically different. The WB is fast, way overpowered and tends to have a bit of weather helm. The overpowering helps on days with 4 to 5 knots of breeze but really requires some reefing after. The Wing tracks quite bit better and is overall a more stable platform. That said, I love my water ballast for getting into the shallow back bays from Lewes Delaware to Chincoteague Virginia. But a 130 on a WB? IMHO a total waste of cash.
Willy

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2014 : 07:33:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willy
 ...The WB is fast, way overpowered and tends to have a bit of weather helm...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I wondered about excessive weather helm on the WB model when I saw the drawings when the C-250 first came out. As I suspected, people have reported better helm balance, especially in heavier air, with the centerboard pulled up (back) partially. That moves the "center of lateral resistance" back, which helps reduce weather helm. It shouldn't reduce the board's effectiveness, and might even improve tracking somewhat.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/16/2014 07:35:24

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