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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Hello SW Florida C25 owners...

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/25/2003 : 10:02:56

The Admiral and I may be about to undertake a lifestyle change--a full-time move to SW Florida (Punta Gorda, in point of fact). I am interested in hearing from anyone there whether a C25 fin keel (4' draft) is a practical choice. Should I (boo-hoo!) sell "Wood Duck" and buy a bigger, sturdier, shoal draft boat? We have a deep-water dock one minute from Charlotte Harbor, so mooring etc. is not a problem. My basic question: is the C25 enough boat for Gulf waters?

Dave on "Wood Duck" (2616)

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 10:52:40

Punta Gorda is a little sleepy. But, that might fit your style better than for me.

Either way, I live and sail the TampaBay area. Specifically off of Clearwater, in the Gulf.

I have a 79' 25 Cat with swing keel, tall rig. We love the swing keel, but if we stay in the channel on the way to the gulf we never have a problem.

Once we're outside, the keel stays down, and never a problem.

Welcome to Florida.

Edited by - on

thacket3
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 11:20:49

I live in Miami and use my C25 1982 Fin Keel in close coastal waters without a hitch.

Welcome to Florida
Tim

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 15:08:47

The area between Tampa Bay and Ft. Myers is a great place to sail and cruise. I love the big-city commercialism of the Tampa Bay area, as well as the more laid-back nature of Charlotte Harbor. It's all good.

Don't take your boat into the Gulf in conditions beyond its limitations, use charts to find your way around, and don't take any shortcuts until you have solid local knowledge. Four foot draft is no problem if you stay in the marked channels, but there are large shallow areas all over the west coast. I chartered a boat with 5 1/2 foot draft and was able to go everywhere I wanted to go. Charlotte Harbor is about 11 ft. deep in most places, but it gets shallow around the edges. Because of tidal currents, the area around Boca Grand Pass is frequently choppy, but it is usually only hazardous in bad weather. Wherever there is an opening between the islands that parallel the shore and Pine Island Sound, there are often tidal currents that run perpendicular to the Intracoastal Waterway that can cause you to sail or motor out of the marked channel of the IC Waterway, if you don't pay close attention to your course. In a storm, those currents can be so strong that your motor might not be able to resist their pull. I almost got pulled out of the Waterway once by tidal currents in a 38' boat with a 55 hp diesel engine.

It would be okay to sail a C-25 in Charlotte Harbor in 25 kt. winds, but I suggest you not go into the Gulf or the IC Waterway in those conditions. The strong tidal currents and shallow waters can make those conditions very challenging.

I don't want you to think that sailing in that area is anymore dangerous than anywhere else. It really isn't. But you need to learn how it is different from other areas, and take those differences into account when you decide whether to go out.

Be sure you stay a day or so at South Seas Plantation, on Captiva Island. It's beautiful and, on a boat, not expensive. You can dinghy across Redfish Pass to South Captiva Island, which is still very undeveloped, and the beach is reminiscent of old Florida.

You lucky dog!

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

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 15:37:24

For a simple comparison, the "shoal draft" (wing) C-30 draws just 2" less than Wood Duck.

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

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cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 19:03:26

Hi Dave,

I live and sail in northwest Florida and the sailing is great here. We have had our 80 25 swing keel here since we moved here 6 years ago. The boat has been fine but we are converting to a wing keel. (still want shallow draft)

I would really like to hear about your experiences in Charlotte Harbor. We had considered moving there instead of here but never made it that far down.

More than one person has told me that Charlotte Harbor is one of the finest sailing areas in the country.

Happy sailing!

Chris Hunsicker
Panama City FL
Moonglade
80 C25 #2126 sr/sk
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d636b3127cce8c9d4c83e7890000002010" border=0>

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Mark Rials
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 21:34:41

4' should be fine for that area. I sail Tampa Bay
and have very few places where I need to raise my swing
keel unless the desire to gunkhole strikes.

Mark and Pat Rials
C25 "Garget"
Homeport Tampa

Mark & Pat Rials
C25 # 5450 "Garget"
Homeport Tampa, Fl.

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 21:46:09

There is a quite active group in Venice, the Venice Sailing Squadron and of the fifty or sixty boats I would guess the majority draw at least four foot or close to it. Charlotte Harbor is a popular destination for their outings, including Pelican Bay at Boca Grande and the area around Sanibel and Cabbage Key, and on up to Burnt Store, etc. The annual change of watch feast is held at Burnt Store. I opine that a Catalina 25 is a fine boat for the area, paying prudent attention to the chart and the NOAA forecast. The NICE thing about retiring to thjis area is you can sail when it is nice and not go out if it is blowing like stink, since you don't HAVE to get home or someplace else to be at work, blow high or low. Orion is kept in a slip at the Venice Yacht Club. Welcome to Paradise, as we say, ron srsk #2343

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 21:46:18

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 21:46:29

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 21:48:51

Sorry for repetition. The damned thing just seems to DO it without any reason, ron Orion

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 22:02:58

You can delete your own replies... They're probably caused by double/triple-clicking the Post button.

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

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 22:51:19

It is nice to hear all those good things about the Charlotte harbor area. I have a lot in Port Charlotte and hope to be sailing my freshwater C-25 in the area in the next couple of years (after retirement). I only got to look the area over for one day, and friends I sail with have property in Punta Gorda. They talk about how great it is. It certainly makes this lake in NE Missouri look small and dull. Can anybody recommend a marina in the area (northside), since I lack the $ for a waterfront home in Punta Gorda?

I will be thinking of you guys down there when the snow is flying up here.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2003 : 23:41:49

Many thanks to all who responded! This is one great web site. It makes me feel better about the potential move...

Even if we move up to a bigger boat (say a Cat 30 or 34) so we can do some Caribbean cruising, I am still biased in favor of the fin keel over the wing keel, for two reasons. 1) The fin keel is a bit stiffer and points higher, and 2) grounding a wing keel is infinitely more problematic than grounding a fin keel.

Thanks all!

Dave on "Wood Duck" (#2616)

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2003 : 12:27:07

I hate to be the killjoy, but as a sailor in the Sarasota/Venice area, you will have to be VERY cognizant of your 4 foot draft. The ICW is very inconsistant in depth in these parts and it can be shallow even in the channel. Tides will become your priority with that draft (especially in winter when we get extreme low tides). For this reason I bought the wb250 (2 feet with board up).
I've yet experienced sailing down in the area you are moving to, but I've heard it is beautiful wonderful sailing. Perhaps better dredged as well. I sail the coastal Gulf in this area and love it,Good luck and smart move!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Suzie, Tropical Sleigh
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3da07b3127cce96a441e875780000001010" border=0>
WB #619 Sarasota FL.

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