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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

To buy or not to buy, that is the question?

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Interested Buyer
Deckhand

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Initially Posted - 01/07/2004 : 20:06:46

I am considering a purchase of a new C250 WK. Does anyone have experience with the new Yanmar inboard engine? The dealer doesn't have one on site. I'm curious about the accessibility, impact on space, contributing factor to the "squatting stern", weatherhelm, and any other general comments, either favourable or unfavourable?

I would also appreciate feedback from other new owners - I am very concerned about the experiences I've read posted about recent purchasers whose warranty issues have not yet been resolved, or the horror story I read about the head. If you had to do it over again, would you buy from Catalina? (honestly).

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2004 : 22:01:10

Here is a couple of threads that might answer some of your questions.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4879

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5145

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2004 : 19:01:24

I must be one of the horror stories you have read on this forum. My new boat is now at the end of my dock and even though I had to wait an extra 8 weeks for a new one to be built, I would not purchase any other boat. The only thing I might say is if the Florida dealer wants to sell you a 2004 WK with a sail number [b]"734"[/b} stay away from it. I still have two warranty issues, but they will be corrected in March. Why so long has to do with the warmer weather requirement for the repair to be accomplished at the end of my dock. By the way this is one of the reasons to purchase Catalina. Warranty issues are sometimes slow to be resolved, but they do get resolved, which is more than I can say for some other boat builders. The quality of work, allthough not perfect, is a great deal better than most for a boat this size and at this price.
As for the inboard, the newest purchase I know of would be Danny in California. There is a thread, he posted, showing some pictures of the install and the lost space.
I have a marine head and have had no problems with it. I did, as someone on the forum suggested, removed the aft panel an checked to insure the cap on the holding tank was secure. The check confirmed it was nice and tight.
Since I am new to the C250, not to Catalina, I still am learning about its sailing characteristics an hope to be ready for the big race in May.
Good luck with whatever you decide, but for my money you cannot go wrong with Catalina.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
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298 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2004 : 20:35:53

IB: I purchased a 2004 C250WK with the Yanmar inboard diesel engine. I have been very satisfied with that decision and all of my friends who have larger boats think that I made a good decision. The following photos show the location for the saildrive unit on the bottom of the boat just behind the wing keel and the others show the engine and how it looks at the bottom of the companion way.

I'm of the same mind as Jerry in that I like my boat, I think it is great for what I wanted to do as far as sailing...sail with family and friends and teach the grandkids to sail...I also purchased mine with a marine head, but as yet it hasn't been used, but I will be checking all of the connections before it is used and I don't anticipate any problems.

I have some issues with Catalina regarding the delivery of my boat and I've tried to work through those, but at this point in time I'm not very happy with their response or efforts to resolve things. I will post a thread on that issue in the next day or two.

I would interview more that one dealer before I decided where to purchase my boat the next time. I would review the warranty and entire buying and delivery process before I decided on a dealer. I would ask that everything be reduced to writing in the contract with performance dates, due dates, and penalities (which you can waive if you decide) against the dealer for non-compliance. The boat is a big investment and you need to make sure you are protected in your purchase. I have friends who I worked with at one time who are attorneys and I would consider having one of them draft a contract for purchase if and when I purchase a boat again.

I would buy my C250 again, and might someday purchase a larger Catalina, but the next time I would make sure I had a surveyor present when the boat was delivered and not allow them to wait until the last minute to give me the delivery date...while they may be little things they can start to add up at some point in the process.

Sailing is a great way to spend your leisure time, a great way to meet really good folks.

Would I honestly purchase a boat from Catalina again. If they had the boat that fit my needs I certainly would. Would I go through the process differently the next time, I certainly would.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do....Dan #727

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2004 : 22:30:57

Catalina is not unique among modern day manufacturers, that in the interest of economic survival, quality control is less than perfect. As others on this forum will attest to, I have not been shy about my frustration with issues that could have been done right for the same, or less if you count the warrantee dollars, money. (Hey, if you want perfection buy a Hinckley, and even then you'll end up with a squawk list...)

Having said that, I agree with Frog that Catalina does not ignore us, and makes a reasonable effort (albeit slow) to satisfy its customers.

The bottom line is that the boats are well designed, sail very well, and are reasonably well built. The "issues" we have had have all been taken care of, some by Catalina and some by myself for a few $$ in materials, and they have not stopped us from enjoying the boat.

We cruise with four, and need every inch of space. Also, for ease of maintenance and for the money, I chose the outboard.

Bottom line: There is definitely good value here. I would buy the boat again.

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
Sunrise on the Neuse River...

Edited by - Oscar on 01/11/2004 22:41:26

Interested Buyer
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2004 : 19:46:02

Thank you for your feedback and the pictures of the interior with the inboard. I went to the Toronto Boat Show where I had the good fortune to see the 250 on their inland lake, along with the Hunter 260 and the MacGregor 26. I think I am pretty well sold on the Cataline 250 WK with outboard, and am just awaiting a sea trial in the spring. Having said that, has this forum developed a "new buyer checklist" that might cover off the major things I should watch out for, based on your collective experiences?

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2004 : 22:57:23

I assume from your comments that you are new to both sail and the purchasing of a boat. If this is true then what I am about to say should help. If not you know it all already.

Most important is know your dealer. Ask him for names and phone numbers of people he sold new boats and make some calls or just ask local sailors about his customer service.

Hire a marine surveyor or find an Old Salt who has been around sailboats forever to go with you when you take delivery or better yet go with you when the boat is delivered to the dealer if possible. I know this could be an additional expense, but if you ask DKN420

, I'm sure he would agree since he was in your shoes not to long ago.

When you arrive at the dealer's, after boat arrival, ask the dealer for a copy of: the TRUCKERS BILL OF LADING any damages noted by the dealer on his inspection should be written there, the RIGGING CHECK LIST this will tell you everything that was sent with the boat, and the EQUIPMENT LOCATION PLAN this will tell you what the factory stowed in the boat and were. Use these to insure everything was sent that you purchased.

Last, DO NOT PAY your final payment until after the boat is commissioned and you are satisfied: DO NOT PAY A WARRANTY OR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FEE with the premise that Catalina will remimburse you the money.

These are things I've learned over the years of purchasing both power and sailboats. DKN420

maybe able to add a few more do's and don'ts, since he has been there and done that recently.

Purchasing a boat can be an exciting and enjoyable experience, if you have a reputable dealer who puts the customer first above all.
Good luck on your adventure

I forgot to mention, take a camera and take lots of photos. You will want them for yourself and we would like to see your enjoyment on the forum.

Edited by - frog0911 on 01/23/2004 23:26:51

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2004 : 20:43:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">has this forum developed a "new buyer checklist"<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frog said it, I'll repeat it:

After you decide on a Catalina......shop for a dealer. The nearest one might not be the best one. Find one that has a solid service department, and one that will come to your boat....As far as dealing with Catalina, the dealers are often in a similar boat

as we are.....calling Frank, Kent, Gerry.....some dealers are better at it than others. Some dealers command more attention from Catalina than others!

Have the dealer rig the boat. When they are all done, go through the entire boat and look for obvious errors. Ask them to remove the aft bulk head. Make sure the vent hose for the propane locker has no watrer trap in it.....If you have a marine head installed check all hoses and hose clamps. If Catalina is not doing it yet, (I submitted this improvement to Frank) have them drill two holes in the sill, each side of the battery, that holds the aft bulkhead so that any water that end up in the aft area goes to the bilge, and not the aft berth matresses. (See tech tip elsewhere on this site) Then (before reinstalling the aft bulkhead), lock yourself up inside, remove all settee covers and bilge access panels, and have an able bodied assistant operate a water hose, specifically squirt the "cubbies" in the cockpit, the anchor locker, and the head port. Squirt the heck out of the whole thing, and verify that nothing leaks. Then fill the water tank, all the way, and make sure no water ends up in the bilge.

If all is dry, then go sailing. Bring someone from the dealer with you to show you the ropes

and to witness any minor problems.

Then after all is in order, finalize the deal and sail away.....Visit here for numerous mods and improvements....

Did I miss anything?

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - Oscar on 01/27/2004 20:50:08

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2004 : 21:02:41

Make sure all the lights and electrics work. If one isn't included get a cover that snaps over the part of the pop top/companion way. It will keep out all water from driving rain.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/28/2004 : 16:23:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">It will keep out all water from driving rain<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Better even, get one that covers the entire hatch/pop top. The partial top will keep the water from curling around the edge of the sliding hatch and then running in about an inch on the under side, and then dripping on the aft cushion. If you have a cover that's big enough it will also keep the water out of the "gutters". If the boat is not pitched just right it wil puddle and cause boogerage, also the teak pieces that are there will stay wet.

I forgot to mention in the above check list to check the entire boat systematically for gel coat crazing. (It's only 25 feet, can't take long....

)

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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