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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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a bad case of five foot-itis

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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/18/2003 : 20:34:21

Don't tell Phredde (my 1984 SR/FK), but I'm thinking that I might like more boat under my bottom. Go further, go faster, and do it more comfortably. Maybe do some coastal cruising too. It seems like there are a lot of Catlina 30's out there for sale, prices are down, and I'm lucky enough to have a few ducats burning a hole in my pocket. What do y'all think? Anybody know much about the 30's and what I should expect?

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

Edited by - phredde on 07/18/2003 20:34:55

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2003 : 21:27:50

First, I know it's a fine boat--underrated by many sailors. Second, there's more variety of vintages, conditions, combinations of equipment, and prices than even the C-25. You may be familiar with Yachtworld.com--that'll tell part of the story. Lots have Atomic 4s, which are gasoline engines (requiring some caution with venting) but actually pretty reliable and much smoother than comparable diesels. My preference, for my situation and uses, is an outboard, which is obviously not an option with the C-30 (and a marginal choice for the C-27). Repowering is more costly, and the Atomic may be nearing the end of its expected life.

I consider the C-25 an overnighter... The C-30 is a cruiser. If you really want to cruise, it's a good move.

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

Edited by - dave b on 07/18/2003 21:31:55

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jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2003 : 21:42:13

Without manufacturer preferences, a 30-foot boat offers lots of utility than a 25-foot. Longer coastal cruising is likely more practical with more or larger berths. A crossing or circumnavigation is still a stretch with a 30-foot; but has been done in 24-foot sailboats.

Downsides - could be fewer gunk-holing grounds, not trailerable, longer slip, bigger parts with bigger costs, etc.

You might watch for an opportunity to trade up in length with someone trying to trade down in length.

Good luck.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
To be renamed "Texas Tango" 26 July 2003

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2003 : 07:50:56

I believe that Ed Jakubas (asssociation president)just bought a 30 I'll bet he could tell you a lot about the 30.
There are also a lot of 36's out there too.
Boats.com and Boatraderonline.com are two of my favorite sites for looking and dreaming of my retirement boat. Gotta have goals

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2003 : 10:09:08

For coastal or 'semi-protected' waters the C30 is a good choice. For true 'blue-water' multi-week ocean passages, it's marginal, but there are folks have done more with less.

Other posters have noted the additional costs for a slip. Another downside of jumping 'off the trailer' is that you become dependant on a yard with a marine way, travel-lift etc. for hauling.

Chores like dropping the mast on a 30 footer are not casual undertakings and repainting the bottom becomes a 'real job'.

The plus is having a boat that you could "comfortably" stay aboard for weeks and take on bigger waters in more comfort and safety than a 25.

If you are thinking of crossing oceans, I'd look for something heavier, for coastal/carribbean/Mexico... a good choice.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2003 : 11:10:14

All good advice so far, I think. I know that when I owned a Tartan 30 (a MUCH better boat than a C30, IMHO, and for about the same number of ducats/EUROs), I LOVED the coastal ocean racing I did and LOVED the way it sailed......However, I HATED being tied to a yard for maintenance, increased costs for parts/sails/winches/engine repair, etc. And because of the time and effort involved, I only got from Portland, OR up to the San Juans once in four years.

Eventually, I bought my old C25 back. It's a swinger......I do all of my own maintenance, can get to the San Juans in 5 hours (now go every year) and still cruise. I did 3 weeks up there this summer. Yes, it's a bit more like camping, and I long for standing headroom, but on my budget, the C25 just makes a lot of sense. When I get to dreaming about "bigger" I remind myself of just how much "utility" I get in the C25. I can maintain it cheaper and better than a larger boat. Engine trouble? $2000 and I have new (in one day!) Try that with a diesel or Atomic 4! I even do a little racing on the C25. Slower than others, yes, but that's why God gave us PHRF!

My wish for another boat has more to do with design and appearance. I don't particularly like sailing a clorox bottle that is like a thousand other boats. I sure wouldn't "feel" any pitter-patter in my heart with a Cat 30, either.....There are MUCH better boats, IMHO, in the 30 foot range than the Catalina....but it all depends on what one values. If ROOM is THE issue, the Cat is hard to beat. If speed/durability/safety are issues, one can do better.....

Just another opinion (and voice for "smaller is better"). Just think about your situation. If I had a fixed keel C25 (like you do) and was tied to the yard anyway.....I'd move up, too, but not to a Cat 30. I keep the C25 because it's the most convenient, comfortable trailerable I can afford.........

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2003 : 11:59:48

Nothing wron with a little five foot itch. My wife Ruth and I sailed our C-25 Wind Lass for seven years. Puget Sound here in Washington can throw just about any condition at you that you would see off shore. Caught in a very rough storm on the way back from the San Juans we decided that if we were to cruise as much as we wanted and do it in safty we needed another boat. The pounding we took in the storm convinced us of it. We saw our outboard a 9.9 Honda flying out of the water and becoming weightless as it once again plumited into the water. The bow was going through an arc so wild that we were all just hanging on for the ride. The flat shape of the hull wasn't cutting through the water but rather pounding on each wave. We took the right actions and brought the boat into the lee of some land settled ourselfs and proceded. That trip made all the differance in the world to us. If we were to cruise and know we could be caught in bad weather it was going to be in something larger and more capable. We miss our Catalina 25 and its easy handling but now when it turns to snot and we are caught out we just shorten sail throw in a hatch board and continue on. For what you will pay for a C-30 you might consider looking at a Cape Dory 27 or 28.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 01:26:26

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Another downside of jumping 'off the trailer' is that you become dependant on a yard with a marine way, travel-lift etc. for hauling.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Jumping "off the trailer" is bad becaaaaaause....????

I used to trailer, but now I've jumped off and I can tell you that without doubt, going trailerless(if you slip and don't trailer sail) is the easier and cheaper way to go. For my $300.00 per year I get...

<ul><li>a Haulout and Powerwash </li><li>A place to store my boat for 6 months </li><li>a place to do messy and hazardous work(bottom jobs)</li><li>Splash in Spring </li></ul>

What I no longer need now that I use a marina...

<ul><li>A capable and expensive tow vehicle with poor gas mileage$$$$</li><li>a capable and expensive boat trailer$$$$</li><li>trailer maintenance, licensing, and insurance</li><li>a place to store the boat and trailer</li><li>an adequate boat ramp</li></ul>

<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

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 08:26:08

Don: amen, amen, amen. When I think of a trailerable boat, I think about my old 17' Mobjack (kinda like a Thistle). It took me about twenty minutes to put it in the water, raise the mast, and bend on the sails, all of which I could easily do by myself (although it sure was faster with someone helping). I could tow it behind a compact car.

My C25 has been in a marina for three years now (as opposed to at a friend's dock. . . I've never had a trailer for her). I became firmly convinced years ago that my time is very valuable (despite what my hours to salary ratio is), and having the yard haul, block, powerwash, paint the bottom, and launch "Even Chance" for about $ 400 every two years is well worth the expense for me. For $ 900 a year, I get power, water, clean bathrooms, showers, a great dockmaster who checks on lines if a storm's coming, use of the table saw and drill press and other tools in the shop when I'm working on something, helpful neighbors who give advice whether I want it or not, people to catch the boat when I come in. . . . yadda, yadda. I leave the boat overboard year-round. . . you can do that in the Chesapeake, and it's a lot cheaper than putting her on the hard and continuing to pay slip rent (please don't start a thread on this on my account. . . the boat has been in the water for 18 years and she's fine. And yes, the keel stays UP.).

I love the marina. Maybe that's me, maybe it's the marina. But I agree with Don.

Brooke

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 08:26:20

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
For my $300.00 per year I get...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Don - Are those your annual slip rental fees? Is so, you are getting one heck of a deal. By way of contrast, I pay $120/mo., my friends with a C30 pay $150/mo., and my buddy with an Allied 32 is paying $180/mo. We pay 12 mo./yr., and there are NO extras included. <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

J.B. Manley, Antares '86 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 09:02:01

Let's see 12 gazinta 23??????almost 2 times, and for $200 a month I get all the dog poops I can shovel( upto here . Currently not allowed to touch yer own bottom, nor anyone elses fer that matter. one bathroom, no showers, water that turns yer hull blue upon oxidizing. Electricity available but never used.

$ 300 per year? Is that a typo?

Val on Calista # 3936

Val Bisagni]<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df11b3127cce94709c5ff2e90000000010" border=0>

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 10:56:11

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Don - Are those your annual slip rental fees? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>$300 per year? Is that a typo?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

No and No. The $300.00 only covers haulout in the fall, winter storage, and splash down in the spring.

I haul out for winter at a different marina than I slip at, because my summer marina doesn't provide winter storage due to insurance liabilities and it being a public marina.

My summer marina, Lake Erie Metropark, is part of the park system here in SW Michigan and I pay $48.00 per week for a slip($192.00 for 4 weeks). The marina has all the usual marina items(water/electric, travel lift, gin pole, pumpout station, dry storage,...etc), A1 facilities(spotless bathrooms and showers, cement docks), and security(it is home to the County Sheriff, US Border Patrol, Park Police, and the DNR).

Lake Erie Metropark
<img src="http://www.michigandnr.com/PUBLICATIONS/PDFS/Harbors/Lake_Erie_Metropark.jpg" border=0>

Lake Erie Metropark, a 1,607-acre recreational facility, features a panoramic view of Lake Erie along its three-mile shoreline. This park is a top bird-watching site, and an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl inhabit the meadows, marsh and lagoons. Park features include a wave action swimming pool, an 18-hole regulation golf course, a museum and nature center, boat launches and a marina. The children's play area features a child-size town.

<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

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 13:48:17

Don,

It might be a good thing for you to keep this "under the hat", If the park where you're at, discovers what the rest of us are paying things might take a quick turn-a-bout. I wouldn't want to be responsible for that. And no dog poops, dang that's a deal!

Val on Calista # 3936

Val Bisagni]<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df11b3127cce94709c5ff2e90000000010" border=0>

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 14:10:34

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>It might be a good thing for you to keep this "under the hat", If the park where you're at, discovers what the rest of us are paying things might take a quick turn-a-bout.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

I pay $300.00 to store my boat at one marina and around $1,200.00 for my seasonal slip at another marina. This means I actually pay $1,500.00 per year for slip and storage, it's just at separate marinas.

<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

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 15:53:40

I think the discussion is really pointing out how much our living circumstances drive our 'ideal boat'. Where I live, for all practical purposes, there is no boat yard.

You either"
1) Have a trailerable
2) Haul out on a commercial fishing boat ways
(if they are still running).
No owner-operated power tools are allowed.
3) Sail 100 miles up the coast to a decent facility.

The size and configuration of Humboldt Bay are also pretty limiting.

Having a bigger boat here would get "confining"... a mid-size boat at this venue is neither 'fish nor fowl'. You either need to stay small enough to get away on the trailer, or have a boat big enough to make some pretty nasty coastal passages to other sailing grounds.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2003 : 23:50:29

I think somebody misunderstood my comments about the flexiblity or "utility" of the swinger. I was never advocating that the C25 be sailed from "off the trailer". I am sure it takes me about an hour and a half from trailer to sailable, maybe more. I keep Encore! in a slip, just like a bigger boat, most of the year. BUT, I have the option to throw her on the trailer to bring her home to live under a shed roof in the winter.....or to trailer to other cruising areas, which I often do....but only if I have at least a week. Otherwise, IMHO, it is too much work.

I stand by my opinion that, FOR ME, in my situation, the trailerability factor is huge. The trip north up the Washington coast is no picnic and takes days.....by trailer, it's 5 hours up I-5 and I am in the prettiest cruising grounds that one could explore for years....

I am glad I have the option to work on her at home, etc. A larger boat didn't leave me the option. That was my point.......IF I move to a larger boat that stays in the slip....it won't be a Catalina....that's my other point, and I stand by it, too.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 00:09:05

I had a wonderful time with our beloved Catalina 25 (Dragon Tail) for many years, spent a ton a money on it to make it perfect, but as Doug Young pointed out above, it is not a blue water boat for that bad ocean snot.

The Catalina 30 is not much better when it comes to rough stuff. A couple of years ago we were with some folks that actually trailered their almost new 30 footer from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Anacortes WA, and, for about a month we through the San Juans, Gulf Islands, then eventually into Desolation Sound-and found that the 30 footer is not a true blue water boat by any means.

Against the wind and current it will hobby-horse, and when you are steering on a wheel you get really wet and cold!

In high winds these folks had to reef the main and partially furl the jib while I still had a 135 genoa and full main out there, travelling about 7 knots at about 15 degrees.

The interior of the 30 has enough room for an army and really laid out well for the occasional coastal cruiser. If you really are going to do blue water sailing, look for something more solid that can take it.

By the way, the folks from Santa Fe sold their boat when they returned to Anacortes, and it is again for sale by the new owner.

Whatever you do, get a survey on your new purchase. The above boat had a real problem with the thru-holes, especially the ones that were feeding the raw water to the engine. Of course the new owner had to find this out by himself!!

Hope this helps

Ken Cave

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 00:23:31

Clam Beach makes a important point about circumstances dictating the "ideal" boat. Living in Sacramento, our only close-by sailing areas are Folsom Lake and the San Joaquin River Delta. My definition of "close" is no more than 1 hour to drive from my house to the boat. San Francisco Bay is 2-1/2 hours, and of course is salt water, and the Catalina Factory does not recommend swing keel 22's and 25's be kept long-term in salt water marinas. Anyway, the problem with Folsom Lake is that it is usually only open for boating from March through October; in the winter months, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation draws the lake way down for flood control and the marina is closed. So, I take "Quiet Time" to Monterey and San Francisco Bay in the winter months for weekend cruises with my sailing club. I have year-round, mast-up dry storage at Folsom Lake for $625, and dry-sailing off the trailer means I have no annual expense for bottom paint. The only problem is that I do have to maintain the trailer, and I have to drive my 3/4 ton truck every time I want to use the boat, and the launch, retrival, and parking back in the dry storage lot takes at least an extra hour every time compared to keeping the boat in a slip. I have considered moving up to a larger boat and keeping it in San Francisco Bay, but have decided that it is just not practical as long as I am working full time. After I retire in a few years, I would presumeably have more time to enjoy a boat, then the extra expenses of marina slip fees, higher insurance, etc., might be more worthwhile. Meantime, I am still convinced that the '88-'89 Catalina 25WK is the all-around best sailboat value for someone who wants or needs to stay trailerable and is willing to sacrifice speed and high trailering weight for creature comfort and durability. I have just about decided for sure to sell "Quiet Time" next spring and go for a WK myself if I can find one equipped the way I want and not too far away.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 00:29:57

Most of it has been said, but here are two quick thoughts...

1) "Wood Duck" (2616) is a fin keel standard rig, and has never to my knowledge been trailered. Costs to me for hauling, power washing in towing to my backyard -- $500. And another $500 for putting her back in in the Spring. I won't even go into mooring fees. Hard to find a slip in these parts for under three grand a season.

2) The site http://www.image-ination.com/sailcalc.html allows you to comparison shop your potential next boat. Remember, you get what you pay for. A mid-80's C30 in decent condition can be bought for around 30 grand. 20 grand will buy you a C30 houseboat and long-term project. Fifty or sixty will buy a decent condition full keel, blue water boat of the same era and general size. But that blue water thirty-footer can easily bring 100 to 150 large.

I've been doing my homework. Already have the name picked out: "Size Creep" for my next boat. Oh, I recently scoped a Morgan 34, late 70's, very well equipped, solid coastal cruiser which is ocean capable (like most Morgans she has a full shoal-draft keel with a centerboard), asking price 24K.

Older boats cost more to maintain, but maintain their value better. In the current economy the asking price of newer used boats has declined markedly in the past two years; some real deal out there is you have the dollars and the desire.

I still am in love with "Wood Duck".

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 08:55:21

Well, I guess I'm outvoted about 10-1 against the C-30... <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle> And I'll have to admit I didn't consider your location. I tend to think of "coastal" as being along the Connecticut shore, in the somewhat protected Long Island Sound, with lots of places to hide when you need them. The Pacific off CA, OR, and WA is certainly another matter, and I wouldn't choose the C-30 for anything other than a visit outside of SF Bay on a nice day. Around here, it's a nice, roomy, "soundworthy" boat that I've enjoyed sailing. But it ain't no Alberg.

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

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 10:14:21

Phreddie... I noticed your SF Bay venue after I'd responded... IMHO you probably shouldn't let us get you too discouraged on the idea of getting a C-30.

SF Bay would a great venue for that boat as the bay and delta are big enough to keep the sailing interesting for a long time.

IMHO 'in-season' coastal harbor-hopping down to Mexico is well within the capabilities of that design and she's still 'small enough' that she could be professionally trucked home from Mexico without spending a fortune.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Ken Cave
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 10:35:44

It really isn't the place you sail in, but the surprises you get when you do sail!!

Two years ago last Labor Day weekend, we were sailing (in our Cape Dory) from Anacortes to Victoria BC around the south end of San Juan Island (where the orcas are supposed to be in the summer months) leaving port around 8 in the morning with a following current as well as light airs and clear sky.

About 12 noon, all hell broke loose with waves crashing over the pointy end, over the dodger, and out the back end. During that four hour period I believe that four boats actually entered the Victoria Harbor. None of the classic boats for their show showed up until that evening-and most the next day.

A "friend" of ours followed us in their Erickson 28-and his wife was sick for three days!!

Now, we have taken this route at least fifty times, and about half of that in our Catalina 25. But this was one time that the weather folks were dead wrong concerning the weather!!

Ken Cave

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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 17:33:41

Thank you everyone for your advice. I'll check out those websites, it sounds like a good way to comparison shop.

I should have specified that I don't use a trailer at all now. It's all bay sailing, but I'd like to be able to do some day trips offshore when the weather looks good, maybe the Farralone islands or to half moon bay, etc. I'm not ready yet for the grand voyage, but may someday want to "go out the gate and turn left". I think for now I want something in the 30 to 40 foot range, fiberglass, safe and sturdy but not a snail, with at least some of the modern conveniences, and for a reasonable price, say under $30k if possible. If you have any more advice, please let me know...and thanks!

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2003 : 19:27:18

At the risk of being shot, I recomment that you consider renting some larger boats before you buy. There must be several charter fleets nearby if you bay sail near San Francisco. This permits selecting a 40-foot offshore boat for a nice weekend with the family and guests. Later sail a 30-foot in the bay. You could even keep the C25 if you were trailering.

In Houston the rates vary by size and time. Weekdays M-Th cost less than F-Sunday. They have 4-hour or half-day, 8-hour or full day and weekend rates. A look at the hourly rates can be shocking. However, after the weekend you are done. By this, I mean that you escape slip fees, insurance and repairs. Just unload your gear, carry out your trash, hose down the deck and hit the seafood diner of choice to spend a bit more on Dungeness crab.

Another aspect is a variety of boats. If you checkout in a 40-foot boat with a captain for a couple of hours, you are likely OK for anything smaller with a simple walk-down of the equipment. Sometimes there is no fee for the checkout.

The checkout likely includes a multiple-choice quiz. Sometimes they want a certificate from one of the schools. However, you may be accepted with sufficient experience in your C25 by taking a sail and a written exam.

Consider renting several larger boats before jumping into a $30k purchase decision. Get an in-water and out-of-water survey when ready to buy.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
To be renamed "Texas Tango" 26 July 2003

Edited by - jsummerfield on 07/21/2003 19:29:14

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Steve Kostanich
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2003 : 12:10:01

I certainly agree on the "rent a big one an try it" before you jump right in. Last summer, after 23 years on a C-25, my wife and I, our daughter and her boy friend chartered a C-34 for a week in the San Juans. Here is what I liked: tons of room to socialize when tied to the dock, I'm 6"-4" and could stand up!, hot pressure water, heat, etc. just all the comfort you'd care for. I didn't like: the boat did not back worth a damn under power, and a little wind made that worse, many on-board systems that one needed to be on top of to operated correctly, as it was set up there was no way I could single hand the boat, nothing could be man-handled when sailing, needed a LOT of wind to really sail. I short, I guess I'm just a small boat guy, and would admit that what I didn't care for could easily be overcome if the C-34 were mine. I would recommend to anyone thinking of trading up to try a boat in the size range they are interested in, for at least a week , to see if it is really what they want.

Steve Kostanich C-25 1119 Equinox sr/sk

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