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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

questions about a 1982 Cat 25.

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/06/2004 : 14:45:53

Hi all,

I have been nibbling on a 1982 Catalina 25. The owner's description of the boat makes it sound pretty clean and it has "all" of the updated Catalina parts.

The previous owner was an engineer and, apparently, he was very good about keeping the boat maintained and updated. He even had the keel re-bedded. It's a fin.

It is NOT a pop top model. From the description of the small amount of rust on the keel nuts and bolts, I assume it has a cast iron keel.

The current owner says it is bone dry below and in the bildge.(sp?)

How do you guys feel about the 1982 model year, non-pop top and the keel?

Thanks,

PW

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 15:14:27

As I have said before it is the perfect racing version. Our pop tops are seldom used and compromise the cabintop versitility. Think how much more space there will be for winches and clutches. I have an 82 and am very happy with it.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 15:14:57

I have no issues with either the year or keel since I obviously have about the same thing myself.

As for this particular boat not having a poptop, I guess that is a personal preference one has to determine on their own, but it really wouldn't mean that much to me since I rarely pop the top on my own boat.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 16:35:30

Paul,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">... has "all" of the updated Catalina parts. The previous owner was an engineer ... very good about keeping the boat maintained and updated. He even had the keel re-bedded.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Speaking as a detail oriented technician myself, that sounds like the very sort of former owner every boat buyer dreams of.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">From the description ... it has a cast iron keel. ... How do you guys feel about the 1982 model year, non-pop top and the keel?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Double check -- 1982 might be a lead keel. Although I see no problem with a cast iron keel. They rust slowly in salt water if not barrier coated. Encapsulating one is a bit of work, but only needs to be done once if done right, and can be postponed a long time. If you do get around to encapsulating an iron keel, you might want to consider adding a bronze, or other hard, grounding shoe. I added shoes to two swing keels, and it made a huge difference in their resistance to abrassion when run aground.

As for no pop-top, I have one with the optional tent, and very seldom use it. If the rest of the boat is what you want, I wouldn't sweat the pop-top issue unless some one else in the household has her heart set on standing headroom at anchor. If camped out for a while in poor weather, the pop-top tent does make the cabin a whole lot larger, and the rim of the deck inside the tent adds a huge temporary storage shelf.

I would add that the combination of keel and deck you're looking at eliminates two of the most often mentioned drawbacks to taking a C-25 out on big water.

I'd say take a close look at the boat with a surveyor, watching for large expensive work needed soon, particularly motor issues, or a long list of smaller urgent projects that could nibble you to death before you get to enjoy the boat. Of course there are some things you can count on finding wrong. Just as a used car is likely to need tires, shocks, and exhaust, a 1982 sailboat is likely to need upgrades to plumbing, electrics, running rigging, have rain leaks, need brightwork refinishing and bottom work. If the survey results are questionable (no clear buy/reject result either way), maybe put down some earnest money to hold the boat, and share the survey results with your favorite opinionated bystanders -- us!

(Try to get a digital copy.)

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 17:09:39

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input.

I agree Leon, a good previous owner is important.

I need to go see this boat.

PW

Edited by - on

dhunt
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 17:11:03

It really depends on how you use the boat. I love my C25 - perfect size for a lake and I have the (almost never raised) swing keel so access to shallow, picturesqe and private coves is no problem.

We're lakebound and have no plans to trailer Solitaire - so most of our time is leisurly sailing and lots of overnighters. As a wind-powered camper, you just can't do much better - but for ME the pop top is great, especially when use with the tent for autumn and spring 'boatouts'. We sail top down, but if it's a still day, a starry evening, or we're on the anchor - the top is UP

It is a must for me.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 17:29:49

Hi David,

I'm in Cartersville, GA.

Do you sail on Allatoona?

PW

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 19:16:37

Paul,

Its good to see back on the forum, and I hope your search bears fruit and become a c25 owner soon! But, that said, be patient in your search, knowing that the right boat will come along.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 19:20:17

Re. Pop top

I have not used my pop top once during the 7 years I've owned the boat. Gotta admit that I use it only for day sailing, and have only spent a couple of nights aboard. For me, and my way of sailing, it is an unnecessary option.

Once I thought about raising it, and discovered that the po had removed it from the boat, and I couldn't hold it up. Oh, well . . .

Edited by - on

skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 21:48:29

I didn't use the pop-top on my previous boats, and don't plan to on this one. It doesn't have a cover (and since there are no snaps on the cabin top, I don't think it came from the factory with one).

I am even converting to a cabin top traveller, which will keep me from using the pop-top. Got a lead keel, so I can't say much about your set up, except these are really neat boats.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 23:04:34

IMHO the key question to ask when evaluating the merits of Catalina 25 pop-top vs non-pop-top is: how tall are you? If you are 6'-0" or taller in stocking feet, and plan on doing at least some overnight boat camping, you will probably want a pop-top. If you are 5'10" or less, you can probably get by just fine with the non-pop-top boat. One of the boats in our club, an '89 Mk IV with the inboard diesel, is owned by a couple who are both about 5'8", and they rareky, if ever, raise their pop-top. If you have a chance, try to get a look-see in a Catalina 25 that does have a pop-top, and compare the two boats. One other advantage of the pop-top that hasn't been mentioned in the other posts in this thread is ventilation. In the summer months, if it gets pretty hot where you live, raising the pop-top can mean the difference between cooking, eating, and sleeping in a cabin that is relatively comfortable, or miserably stuffy and unbrearably hot and humid.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2004 : 23:32:12

And even if you don't raise the "lid", too often, there's a bit more headroom with the pop top down.

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 10:03:53

Larry makes a good point.

When I owned ESSAYONS/89WK/SR, I would put up the top to allow the boat to ventilate better. Kind of like a hard Bimini. It gets really hot here in GA.

My pipe dream is to, one day, join in on a Bahamas flotilla. The hard top would be safer off shore but the pop top would be nice at the dock or anchor in hot weather.

My biggest worry has been about the possibility of it having a cast iron keel. I met a nice guy, Lou Foulk, and his wife at the rally in Pensacola, FL. He had a cast iron keel model. The bolts and nuts were shot yet the keel didn't budge at all.

I have lost touch with Lou. His e-mail address stoped "working". Do any of you know him and/or how he's doing? We had a blast at the rally.

I appreciate all the opinions.

Thanks,

PW
Dingy with a dinghy.

Edited by - on

oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 11:27:14

If the keel bolts and nuts are shot, the keel may never budge but they might let go altogether under the stress of a grounding, excessive heeling moment, further corrosion, or for no particular reason at all. That's the nature of catastrophic metal failure.

A cast iron keel can easiliy last a lifetime, but it needs to be secured to the boat with adequately sized bolts and nuts which are in good condition in order for the vessel to be safe.

Edited by - oldsalt on 02/07/2004 11:32:00

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 14:18:36

Paul:

Everyone has their own opinion on the virtues of a pop-top (including me), which I think isn't important because you have owned a C25 with a pop-top.

But since I'm here, if you used to use it and enjoyed doing so, I simply think you may miss it if your new C25 didn't have it.

However, the fact that the previous owner took great care of the boat is a tremendous thing. I usually buy used cars and that is the number one attribute I look for when looking at cars, and a car which I know has been taken care of extraordinarily well may cause me to compromise and overlook the lack of a certain desirable option.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 14:33:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RichardG
 ...the fact that the previous owner took great care of the boat is a tremendous thing. I usually buy used cars and that is the number one attribute I look for when looking at cars, and a car which I know has been taken care of extraordinarily well may cause me to compromise and overlook the lack of a certain desirable option.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well said!

Edited by - on

Kidless
1st Mate

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USA
26 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 17:12:06

David has a great point,
We use our boat exclusively for lake and bay sailing.
I couldn't imagine not having a pop-top.
We even put Catalina directs pop-top spring/shock kit on our boat and it was soooo worth it.
No more worry about top misshaps.
I guess it all depends on what kind of sailing you are going to do.
Good luck,

Edited by - on

cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 02/08/2004 : 11:02:33

Hi Paul,

When we went out to buy our first boat the pop top feature was one of the most important things to us. At that time we were lake sailors, not concerned about the offshore considerations.

After buying our C25 we discovered what a truly fantastic boat it is. With that said, we rarely anchor without putting up the pop top and I will often raise it at the dock. I am 6'1" with a bad back and bending over lessens my enjoyment on a boat.

I wouldn't consider a C25 without a pop top but we are comfort cruisers, don't race (at least not our boat) and haven't or plan to be out of sight of land (at least in this boat)

If the size is right I feel you will be hard pressed to find a better boat than a C25.

Good Luck

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 13:48:04

1978 cast iron fin keel, pop top.

My keel bolts were rusted to the size of pencils. I had 6 new stainless steel bolts put in to a depth of 6 inches right alongside the original bolts for $900 (big job, you can't do it yourself without special gear). The keel is computer race-faired and encapsulated in epoxy. It's now good for another 100 years.

Winter, day sailing, never put the poptop up. Summer, put it up all the time (not while sailing) for cooling and ventilation, expecially while working in the slip. At anchor overnight, use the poptop cover - doubles the inside useful volume of the boat.

Edited by - on

Corey
Deckhand

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Canada
24 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2004 : 23:45:56

Hello Paul,

I have a 1982 FK and am really pleased with the performance....Is the boat you are looking at a tall rig or standard.

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2004 : 09:03:25

Hi Cory,

It's a standard rig.

It is being advertized on the Catalina owners page. It's the boat in NC.

I am very interested in it but $ are still alittle tight. Maybe one of us will get it. I'm not making any claim to it. I just found it.

Thanks,

PW

Edited by - on

Steve Shetter
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2004 : 10:47:07

In my limited experience, I have found the pop-top to be wonderful. My '81 SK is currently used for lake sailing only and I don't have the top up when sailing, but any other time (at the slip, at anchorage, drifting or motoring) you can bet that the top is up. I have found the same reasons as stated earlier in this thread such as head room, ventilation and overnight storage, has made the pop top an extremely important piece of equipment. If the weather in your area or the time of the year in which you sail is not hot or overly humid, the top may not be as much an issue for you as it is for me. My PO was not able to maintain the boat as well as I it seemed when I first saw it. Thus, I had no way to know if the bottom was sound (I bought it on the water), so I didn't know how expensive a bottom job could be (until I talked to the boat repair guy). Now, I would never consider buying another boat without the services of a competent surveyor.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Edited by - on

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