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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Prospective Purchaser of new 250 WB

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RC
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/08/2004 : 11:06:58

I am looking for some input from owners of the Catalina 250 water ballast model.

I am considering purcahsing a new 250 (Water Ballast model). I plan to moor the boat in Southern Florida for use in the Biscayne Bay/Keys. Given the "reputation" of other water ballast sailboats such as the McGregor water ballast 25 footer, I am concerned about whether there are any quality issues I should be aware of before I buy.

Thanks for your help!

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2004 : 14:25:22

Grab yourself a cup of coffee and sit back and surf the many threads on this fantastic association website. You'll more than likely find more info than you know what to do with. Overall you'll also discover a passion for the C250. No doubt, it is a great boat in its class for the moeny.
I bought my WB 2002 new and have no regrets. I keep it in a wet slip year round in Fl. and find it to be a great boat. I choose the WB over wing for the draft difference. I'd buy one again if ever I fall victim to a hurricane

Only frustration I had early on was with the center board cable. It snapped. Catalina provided a new cable (updated...metal to line)and no problems since..knock teak. Good luck, C250 is a great choice, although if you plan to wet slip without intention of ever trailering, consider the wing, more head room and no center board issues.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2004 : 14:49:01

RC...

The C250 is a good boat... and Catalina are good people to do business with. There is always the propensity for warranty issues and Catalina likely experiences its share. The good thing is that if your dealer doesn't take care of you... then Frank Butler or his immediate staff will. They will communicate and have generally it seemed done what ever is necessary to resolve an owner problem.

Regarding the C250, they are built in two models a centerboard / waterballast model that you indicated and a wing keel. The wing keel is generally considered for a boat that will be moored or slipped with the exception being for those dealing with very skinny water. The water ballast design is primarily a trailer sailor. There is about a foot of draft difference between the two, and for a few... that is enough to choose the wb even though they moor or slip.

While there haven't been any serious or ongoing issues with the water ballast, its moving parts, ballast tank, and extra effort involved to prevent bottom fouling, give the wing keel several significant advantages for a moored or slipped boat. The lack of center board clunk, an extra nine inches of cabin height, greater ease of access to the aft berth, and better off wind performance make the wing more attractive unless trailering regularly comes into play.

Having said all this and water ballast is still your choice, there are a few other pluses for the water ballast beyond trailering ease. It is easy to beach, it has proven to give a rather nice ride in chop, and it is easy to balance the helm. It is very very easy to launch and retrieve.

There is one other issue that needs mentioned. Originally, the c250 was available with a beaching rudder. I and many others have one and like them a lot. Unfortunately, a beaching rudder is no longer available. This leaves the buyer with a choice of two blade rudder lengths though your dealer may not recognize this... Catalina will, as they have recently been challenged with the fact that the shorter which has more recently been sold with the water ballast has inadequate control for it. It leaves the boat without a forgiveness zone of heeling and will render an autopilot ineffectual. On the other side, the longer rudder as is used on the wing keel model will provide the necessary control and turn the boat into a great handler... though it will have a fairly deep blade rudder... one foot longer than Catlana has been recently shipping.

I would recommend that you specify a beaching rudder as a condition of sale and waive the warranty for it if they require that. If they won't offer it... then I think your stuck because you seem to be looking for shallow draft and to rig with the longer of the two blade rudders is going contrary to that. A long blade rudder will greatly reduce the flexibility of this very enjoyable design.

I have a lot of time including a good bit of cruising on a c250 water ballast... and its a very fine and capable boat and provides very good handling... but not with the shorter rudder. If Catalina won't offer a beaching rudder... and if the long blade is unsuitable, I would look on if the wing keel is not suitable.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2004 : 22:50:16

Got the WB....good sailing boat, minor problems, all taken care of. However, if you don't trailer a lot , you might consider living with the extra draft; the extra headroom is nice. I'll second Arlyn in that the standard rudder is under powered in heavy air. I managed to obtain a beaching rudder and am very happy now.

Oscar

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

Edited by - Oscar on 01/12/2004 10:36:34

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2004 : 00:05:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Oscar
 ...phenaegle (sp?)...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

fi·na·gle ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-ngl)
v. Informal fi·na·gled, fi·na·gling, fi·na·gles
v. tr.
To obtain or achieve by indirect, usually deceitful methods: finagle a day off from work.
To cheat; swindle: shady stockbrokers who finagle their clients out of fortunes.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2004 : 10:35:37

Thank you Dr. Lucier for the correct spelling. Now I also see that, given the fact that my methods were strictly honorable, I used the word incorrectly. I will rectify, and these two posts will make no sense whatsoever.

Oscar

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

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2004 : 21:59:48

Man, the 2 posts above this one make no since.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2004 : 13:23:14

I knew it.....

Edited by - on

RC
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2004 : 09:16:17

Thanks all. I bought it!

More posts to come.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2004 : 16:16:19

Congratulations RC (does that stand for race committee?

). You have made an excellant decision and I'm sure you will find it and membership in the c25/250 National Association part of the enjoyment of your boat. Enjoy.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2004 : 18:00:52

Adding my congrats to Don's...

Looking forward to your involvement on the forum...

A good resource of information is available here as well as good interaction between fellow sailors and owners of the same design. At least some of the things that will crop up as you commission your boat will have been discussed and reside in the archives. If its not there, ask away.

However, post don't have to be questions ... observations, pictures, and stories about racing, cruising, day sailing are relished as well as mods, upgrades, things that work... things that didn't work...

Enjoy
Wishing you and your family many great sailing adventures aboard the new boat...

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.