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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Looking into buying a Catalina 25

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mcl2
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2003 : 15:40:05

Hi, i am looking into buying a 25 foot Catalina. I currently sail a Catalina 22, and i like the external teak and the overall quality of the boat, but i would like some more room. . . With that said, i can;t justify spending 20K+ for a newer 250, and i like the clasic look of the 25. . . . a few questions. . . .
1). Any recomendations on what years to stay away from? anything in particular to look for?

2).I want a Swing Keel for launching and retreval reasons, and yes it is a must. Do the swing keels have the same reputaion/problems as the 22' Swing keels? i.e. pins, cables, rust and refinishing?

3). Also, I like the models with the fold down table that hangs on the wall, what is that called?

Thanks for all of your help!!!

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 15:50:20

Hi MCL2,

The model where the table folds up on the bulkhead is refered to as Traditional, if I'm not mistaken.

Regarding your other questions, the C25 swingers to have a lot more maintenance to take into consideration than the other models. Others can articulate better than me what to look out for.

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 18:24:44

Hi MCL 2
First of all, you should sign your name. It's just nice to have a name to go with a message.

I just transitioned from a Catalina 22 swing keel to a Catalina 25 wing keel. As a general comment, you will have the same maintenance problems with the swing. But bear in mind that the swing on the 22 is only 650 lbs, and the swing on the 25 is 1500 lbs.

I bought a trailer for my wing and it only draws 2" more than the 25 swing. It does take a deeper ramp than a 22 does because the trailer will be heavier duty and the boat will sit higher.

The earlier model 25's had the gas tank inside the lazarette just like the earlier 22's, with fumes in the boat. I think that was solved in 82 or 83 by having a seperate gas locker for the tank.

I really like my wing and am glad I didn't buy a swing. It is rock solid. The 88 and 89 models were, in my opinion the best built. They also have a flat floor, which is really nice. Others have called the 89 wing "best of breed" I like not having cable hum, or keel clunk while anchored out.

Good luck in your search. The 25 is a great boat, and the extra room is really nice to have. Plus you have a sit down head area.

I looked at a lot of 25's before I bought mine, and just like the 22's, some owners have pride in their boats and have maintained them, others have been severely neglected, or repairs and modifications have been done incorrectly. I had two surveyed, and each survey cost 250. Well worth it.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

mcl2
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 18:48:23

Sorry, my name is Matt. . . . Those are my initials. . . So you think a wing keel on a trailer is not a bad idea. . . now you have given me something to think about, i have not seen many wings with trailers, did you have yours custom made, if so whats the aporx. cost of that? Thanks for all the help, keep the opinions comming!!!!

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 21:16:45

For your needs, I second the wing! I think the specs are 1.5" deeper than the fully raised swing, so forget about that difference. 1500 lbs on a metal string is something I can't contemplate--particularly in salt water. A few have sunk when the "string" breaks and that huge mass crashes into the front of the trunk. Maintenance is key, and in fresh water, the risks are smaller, but.....

The wings are harder to find because of all of the above, plus they started making them later, and in the last few years, Catalina made relatively few C-25s. By then, the swing had been discontinued.

It is also possible to buy a wing keel upgrade kit to retrofit an older swinger--others here have done it.

As for years, later is better, but in my mind the most important improvements (besides the wing) appeared around 1983-4, when the cockpit fuel locker, transom cockpit drains, stainless spreader sockets, heavier chainplates, and heavier stem fitting were added. Around 1988, they re-molded the cabin sole to take advantage of no more swing keels in the product line, providing a flat, lower sole.

I don't think there are any years to avoid--they just kept getting better. I hope you plan to get a survey on the boat you think you want--with wood-cored decks and such, the survey is well worth a few boat units, and you'll learn a lot about your new baby!

Best of luck in your quest!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 22:58:26

Hey Matt,
The trailer for my 89 wing cost 5 grand. It is all aluminum with stainless steel fasteners. Dual torsion bar axles. quad stainless steel disc brakes. 8900 lb capacity. Spare tire. Galvanized rims
Great trailer. Worth the extra bucks. It will last me forever even taking it to a salt water environment twice a year.
I also got the tall rig on my 25. I like having a larger sail area. You can always reef it down. I do want to get a furler though. I'll save my pennies for one.
I found mine through a broker listed on boats.com
I also like the clear window front hatch. Lets in a lot of light.
Can you tell that I really like my boat?

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 23:55:37

For another opinion, I'll ring in. I have a 1978 C25 swinger/standard rig and I love it! IMHO, the mainenance is no big deal, but then I keep her in freshwater and only do salt for 2-3 weeks per year. She has had exactly TWO cable/turning ball replacements thus far, and it took about 2 hours each time. Certainly the keel needs to be kept painted or it will start to rust, but so will the older fins. My swing keel is still very tight, not wobbly or sloppy. I keep it in the down postion most of the time and only raise her to trailer, or to get off a sandbar! (Can't dp that with a wing or fin). The swing will go to weather better than a wing, IMHO, and goes downwind nearly as well as the wing. DO NOT shy away from a swinger because some folks scare you away. Take what you hear with a grain of salt....that said, I would think twice about a swinger kept in salt water unless you do routine maintenance more often. ALL boats need maintenance and keel bolts have been known to rust or come loose on the solid keels as well. Find a C25 in good condition, that has been upgraded and maintained, and you will be happy.

My boat has a "traditional" interior as well, but it is the L shaped one with the table that sits on a pedestal. I, too, wish I had the fold up table, which I refer to as the "newer traditional" or bulkhead foldup table. Yes, my old boat has the old fashioned port locker, but it's not been a problem, and if it was, it could be fixed. My old boat has upgrades on rigging, shrouds, new sails, new outboard bracket, a new 9.9 Yamaha, etc. A person buying this C25 would not be disappointed....but she's not for sale!!! Look for a good one. They are out there.....

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 22:25:09

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
As for years, later is better, but in my mind the most important improvements (besides the wing) appeared around 1983-4, when the cockpit fuel locker, transom cockpit drains, stainless spreader sockets . . .
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Just an FYI, OJ, a 1981 model, hull #2428 has all of the above. The heavier chain plates and stemhead fitting can be retrofitted.
Good luck.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2003 : 10:27:00

OJ - my '81 also has "all of the above"...
Derek

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

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2003 : 11:39:30

Matt,

osmepneo is 1980 retro fitted wing. Done by the previous owner, and I am very pleased with it. I don't have a trailer, I keep her on the hard during the winter on a cradle, and that works for me.

A friend had a non Catalina that had a swing keel and it sank during a storm. Afterwards all that showed of his boat was the last 5 or 6 feet of his mast. No he has a fin keel Catalina 25. As I was looking for my boat, I didn't want to take that chance, and eliminated anything that had a swing keel from consideration.

The other thing that several people have said is to have the boat surveyed. Very important. Very good advise. Find the boat you want make an offer contingent upon a satisfactory marine survey (your definition of satisfactory). That way you know what you are paying for, and can make plans for the work you want to do.

To find my boat I did a search of several sites, including the swap meet here and found a number in the metro NYC area. then started looking at them, and when I found osmepneo (tho' she wasn't osmepneo them) I knew she was the right one.

Good luck in your search.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Dave
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 19:16:17

I have a swing keel that I really like. There have been a couple of times that I have intentionally beached it lightly on the sand. I also like the ease of trailering it to other lakes. Since you mentioned the interior, here's a shot of mine with some crew members. Notice the custom-built table with drop leaf.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88637e85a0ff0000001610" border=0>

Dave Sturn
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88634d60e09b0000001010" border=0>
Montana Spirit
1980 C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2003 : 10:43:47

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have a swing keel that I really like. There have been a couple of times that I have intentionally beached it lightly on the sand. I also like the ease of trailering it to other lakes. Since you mentioned the interior, here's a shot of mine with some crew members. Notice the custom-built table with drop leaf.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88637e85a0ff0000001610" border=0>

Dave Sturn
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db37b3127cce88634d60e09b0000001010" border=0>
Montana Spirit
1980 C25 SR/SK
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Dave,

I just about fell over when I saw the interior of your boat ... it looks VERY similar to mine. You and I have what has been called the L-dinette or "original" traditional interior ... they seem to be rare. I really like the layout ... you can stow the table in the quarterberth, and it really opens up the cabin (just like the "traditional" interior, but you've got a settee athwartships at the bulkhead between the salon and the head).

Anyway, I've also made a custom teak table to replace the old one (but I didn't make a drop leaf for it ... that's nice). My cushions are covered in the same color fabric as yours, I've got a clock and weather instruments mounted on the bulkhead, I've got a brass lantern on the compression post, I've got a curtain between the head and the salon (although mine is navy blue to match the curtains), and I've got speakers mounted exactly where you've mounted yours.

What can I say, except that ... you've got GREAT TASTE! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Welcome to the group!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

Edited by - on

dock
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2003 : 16:40:34

The '89-90 model is a good choice if it's in the budget. I came from a 21' swing keel and I'm very happy with the 25's wing keel and its great not to have anything in the center of the floor. Decide whether you want a tall rig or not. Keep in mind the boom is about 10" lower on a tall rig.

My trailer is a Champion galvanized dual axle with surge brakes. New cost would be around $5,000.00.

Take my advice and budget about $2,000.00 for repairs, maintenance and changes you will make or need after you take delivery.

Do have a survey done or at least have someone who knows what to look for survey the boat.

"ParaDocks"

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2003 : 14:27:25

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>1). Any recomendations on what years to stay away from? anything in particular to look for?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Each boat has its own distinct differences, not necessarily by year, due to what we call DPO (dumb previous owner) modifications. Later years (not sure exactly where the break is) do have some changes with regard to gas tank location, motor mount location and the like.
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>2).I want a Swing Keel for launching and retreval reasons, and yes it is a must. Do the swing keels have the same reputaion/problems as the 22' Swing keels? i.e. pins, cables, rust and refinishing?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
YES

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>3). Also, I like the models with the fold down table that hangs on the wall, what is that called? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

 Traditional interior. There are two others. a dinette interior and a "L" shape interior.

 Might I also recommend you examine this forum, as well as the website - The parts catalog differentiates between a number of different options that were available and can be accessed via the Association's Menu page. I would also take a look at the original owners manual and read some of the Tech tips that are also available online especially the one on appraising a C-25. And feel free to ask any questions here on the forum throughout the buying process.

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>

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