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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Looking to buy Catalina 25...

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albertfinn
Deckhand

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7 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/20/2003 : 00:40:05

Am looking to buy a Catalina 25. Specifically I'm looking at a 1984 model in my area. Any suggestions on what to look for/problem areas etc from anybody would be greatly appreciated!

Looking forward to being a C-25 owner.

SE

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 08:00:57

Albert,

Check out these two articles from the Tech Tips section of this website. They have a lot of good information in them.

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summert2.html
http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/summertm.html

What style of C25 are you looking at and where is it?

As always, if you have any specific questions concerning your prospective boat, feel free to ask. That's why this forum is here. Good Luck!

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 04/20/2003 08:03:36

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 12:56:29

Welcome, SE...

1984 was a pretty good year--Catalina had made some good changes by then, including the cockpit fuel locker, improved thru-hull fittings (I think), and some rigging upgrades. Several issues depend on which keel configuration you're looking at (swing, fin, or wing), which is what Don is asking about. The key areas common to all of them are the plywood deck core, the gudgeons, the rudder blade, all chainplates, and the interior bulkheads that anchor the upper shroud chainplates.

If you've followed or explored this forum, you've seen several recommendations for a professional marine survey. For a few boat units (if you're familiar with the expression) you will learn a great deal about the boat--not just whether it's a safe bet, but the little or big projects that you have to look forward to and the additional investments to be made. (Some insurers require a survey.) Arrange to be present with a clipboard.

Good luck, and keep in touch!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 14:14:25

SE,

Tell us where in the world you are, cause we may have hot tip alternatives for ya.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
Half Moon Bay ,CA

Edited by - on

albertfinn
Deckhand

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7 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 21:43:18

Boat I am look at is a 1984 C-25, fin keel, standard rig. I am in Charleston, SC which is where the boat is located as well.

Thanks for the information below. I'll be checking back here periodically.

SE

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 21:52:51

SR/FK--great configuration!

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2003 : 23:09:11

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>SR/FK--great configuration!<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Dave is 100 percent correct. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 10:04:27

"SR/FK--great configuration!"

TR/FK - better configuration! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle> (Especially if you sail on inland lakes...)
Derek

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc30b3127cce942c608d6f1e0000001010" border=0>
TRFK#2262"This Side Up"

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 13:05:52

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>TR/FK - better configuration! (Especially if you sail on inland lakes...)<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Sure it's a better configuration...if you don't mind boom bumps all over your melon! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 13:26:56

again, it depends on teh model, if you go with the swing keel,
1. make sure the chain and swing keel assembly is sound, it is also something you want to look at about onece a year
2. on all models, ave the standing rigging checked for faults by a surveyor
3. check the boat for leaks in the cabin
i bought a swing keel and now have it for sale, i bout a fin keel standard rig and seems like se'll be less maintenence

Steven de Filippis
78 catalina 25 - Gypsy

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 19:48:51

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I bought a swing keel and now have it for sale, I bought a fin keel standard rig and seems like she'll be less maintenence<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Less maintenance on the fin?...How about nooooo maintenance! <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Though what I really like about the fin over my old swinger, is that I don't have to remember to lower it! <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2003 : 20:23:21

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Less maintenance on the fin?...How about nooooo maintenance! <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

That depends on whether you get the older, cast iron fin keel, or the newer, lead encased fin keel. The lead encased fin keel is virtually no maintenance. The cast iron keel requires almost annual maintenance.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 10:43:10

again as stated above, the SR/FK is prob the best bet, some people really say the best of the best of these C25's are the mid 80's winged keels, they have more headroom in the cockpit

Steven de Filippis
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2003 : 13:53:06

As you can tell - a lot of posts begin with "It depends"

This is due to the number of models and changes over the years.

If you are really serious, get a marine surveyor to inspect the boat. Its well worth the 100 dollars and a lot of times, they can recommend that repairs be made by the current owner or...that they drop the price....

Make sure he looks into the following C-25 specific areas.

-Keel trunk and keel cable if swing
-mast compression post in the cabin
-The stability of the to-hulls on the original
-the cockpit coming around the companionway is prone to a lot of water.
-The current AC electrical (if it has it) most of the originals are not up to current code.

Most good inspectors know of these things, but they don't just specialize in one make or model, so giving him this list might be of assistance. As to the rest of the boat a normal water content survey amongst other saftey things should be looked at.

One other note - when we had ours surveyed prior to last season just for the heck of it, the lack of backing plates on all the docking cleats was an area that our guy said was of concern as well.

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

albertfinn
Deckhand

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7 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2003 : 22:44:03

Boat buying update (because I know everybody on this site is dying to know): I bagged the offer I had on the C-25 mentioned above...the broker and owner "forgot" to tell me that the boat was salvaged from a collision last year...They had given me some less than straightforward answers regarding the vessel's history so I did some detective work and discovered this myself...

I am going to check out a 1982 C-25 model also near my home next. It too is a FK/SR model. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles the other had (battery charger, shore power, marine head, roller furler...thoughts anyone? It seems the 1982 models and later do have some improvements over prior years.

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