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Comments on Catalina 25 (1978)

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raulm
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/23/2004 : 12:25:00

Hi all,
I'm about to buy a Catalina 25 (1978) the dinette model and I would like comments on this boat. I have heard Catalinas are great.

Also, what is good/bad about the dinette model among other models?

Thanks.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2004 : 12:45:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by raulm
 Hi all,
I'm about to buy a Catalina 25 (1978) the dinette model and I would like comments on this boat. I have heard Catalinas are great.

Also, what is good/bad about the dinette model among other models?

Thanks.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Raul,

I too, have a dinette model and I like this setup for a couple of reasons. For the most part my sailing is of the day trip kind, so I leave my dinette table down with the center cushion in place. This arrangement allows the kids to go below and lounge in the dinette "playpen" and with the table lowered, all the shoes, bags, toys,...get stored underneath.

With the table up, people can still go back and forth thru the cabin.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2004 : 12:57:48

Welcome to the club! I have 1978 fin keel #398 with pedestal table.

The boats sail great, they are fun, cheap to own, there are spare parts available and knowledgable owners to help you (us). With a simple outboard you have a cheap and relatively reliable power plant that tips out of the water when sailing and when tied up at the dock. The boat has very few holes in the hull so not too many potential leaks to worry about. Some boats (like mine) have had lots of great upgrades applied by knowledgable previous owners. Other boats have been thrashed and neglected by POs.

Things to look for...

The Catalina factory fit and finish is basically minimal. A Catalina has been compared to a Chevy (not a Lexus). Window frames leak in the rain. Make sure there are no deck leaks that have led to delaminated decks or rotted bulkheads. Has your potential boat been neglected or cherished?

Our main page has Tech Tips. There are a couple of very good articles on self appraising and buying a C25. Read them, print them out, take them when you look at the boat.

Downsides...

The C25 is great for 1 to 4 people day sailing, I think it's ideal for 1 to 3. It's a bit crowded for a family of 4 and 2 dogs (like us) for long term cruising (but we go anyways!) With an outboard that has a potential for being dunked in big waves/rough weather you have to learn to sail. The C25 is not a blue water, cross the ocean, offshore cruising boat.

The swing keel model is not recommended (by the factory) for long term storage in salt water. Some owners do. But the swing requires annual maintenance.

The cast iron fin keel on the 1978 can rust and should be encapsulated in epoxy if long term stored in salt water.

I sail mine nearly every day. http://www.indiscipline.org

Edited by - on

Bill Sloane
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2004 : 20:04:51

Raulm:

This is my boat too. I own a 1978 dinette model swing keel Catalina 25 No. 496 and I love it. This will be my third season. I live in Puget Sound and have only sailed it in South Sound, which is a protected inland salt water area. Boat is a great amount of fun. Not a great racer compared to some other boats out there, but it is a real sail boat big enough for a few day cruise or great for day or overnight sailing. I haul my boat each winter for 4-5 months. Down side is I do not have a vehicle big enough to haul it and I must impose on friends and website types to haul it for me. I did the plywood insert conversion to make entire cabin a bed with table down. That instruction is on this site. Dinette table is unstable against the starboard hull. Some kind of locking bracket should be installed. I have not done that.

Bill.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2004 : 20:37:36

Your best bet would be to have the boat surveyed by an accredited surveyor...check out: "The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors", 1-866-522-3505. I just had a boat surveyed, cost $14 a foot, and worth it.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2004 : 20:58:31

You cant beat the C-25 for fun and family. Just be sure to read the what to look for artical in the tech section. Get a survey if your not experianced with boats. The dinnette model is best for family, it has more sleeping area already to use. The traditional has to be modified to sleep in the main cabin. Hope you have a great summer.

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kansasboatman
Deckhand

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17 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2004 : 01:08:32

I too have a C25 1978 dinette model witht he swing keel and 9.9 evenrude outboard electric start...."rescued" the boat from a boad graveyard in the midwest. Comp;etre;y overhauled the engine for $550 which was a very good move as a new one to duplicate would be about $3,000! Continue to upgrade and rebuild and add on. Original trailer is excellent for hauling once I replaced the Ford Torino tires with stardard heavy duty trailer tires (1,100 lbas capacity per tire)....I have the means to haul but have been content to keep it at a lake near Lawrence, Kansas (Home of the jayhawks) Go Hawks in Stl Ouis this next weekend!!! Would keep the boat for ever and ever at Lake Perry...but alas want a boat at the Gulf and so am reluctantly looking to trade or sell it for something slightly bigger..C27 or 30.

Edited by - on

raulm
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:39:20

Thanks all, your comments are very appreciate.
Unfortunately some one else bought the boat before I did. Now, I have found a 25 (1979) fixed kill. I'll take a look of this boat this weekend (I told the guy I want to be the first in line).
Those articals, from the tech section, are very good. I have read them several times and will read them just before take a look of the next boat.

Thanks again all,
Raul

Edited by - on

raulm
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 09:48:46

One more question,
Can I think, beside the keel (fixed or swing) and the dinnete table, that the Catalina 25 1978 and the 1979 are the same. In other words, all the good things you have mentioned about the Catalina 25 (1978), I'll find them in the Catalina 25 (1979)?

Also, last weekend I took a look of a Tanzer 26 and a Clipper 24 and guess what, the Catalina 25 is much better than any of them. doesn't it?

Thanks,
Raul

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 10:01:38

The last two C-25's in our marina that changed hands did so via 'word of mouth' in the first day the owner even muttered a comment about his intention to sell.

I would have owned a C25 several years ago... the owner was posting a for sale sign in the window, I stopped and talked to him, inspected the boat and went to the other end of the marina to fetch current spouse from the Venture. When I got back the new owner was shaking hands with the seller. :>(

Swing or Wing C-25's with a trailer are very desirable boats around here. A fixed keel might take awhile to move... without a trailer they are much harder to sell.

Raul, what's your home waters like? Is there plenty of room to explore? Do you envision trailering elsewhere for a vacation?

Unless you have plenty of cruising ground in your native waters, I'd keep looking for a Wing or Swing... while they are a 'trailerable sailboat' rather than a 'trailer-sailer', they really open up lots of other venues for your sailing enjoyment. The fixed keel is still trailerable, but is starting to push the envelope. Without a trailer, you're pretty well staying put.

Be patient, the 'right' boat will turn up...

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 10:05:31

It's hard to beat a Catalina 25.
If you will tow often, a fin keel would present an additional challenge.

In my opinion, if you spend a few bucks more for a well maintained boat vs a cheap neglected one you will be money and time ahead.

I totally agree on having a boat surveyed. Also, I'm a big fan of using a broker. The legalities in the purchase contract protects you if after a survey you decline a boat based on your results. You can get your deposit back. In the meantime, no one can buy the boat while you are arranging the survey and haul out.
I'm an even bigger fan of using a broker for selling a boat.
That said, an older C25 may not be represented by a broker.
I'm sure you have checked out our association's swap section. I would have no problem buying a boat from a member without a broker.

With a Catalina you will get more support than with most any other boat, both from the factory, and this association. For example I recently needed a new rudder for my 89 and the factory fabricated one and shipped it to me in the Keys while I was on vacation, I had it in about 2 weeks. I can't imagine Hunter, or any other manufacturer supporting a used boat any better than that. Also, there are a lot of out of business manufacturers out there. Parts could be problematic.
I'm on my second Catalina, and fantasizing about my next one. (boat, that is)

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 10:14:44

Raul,

Hang in there, your Catalina 25 is out there somewhere. I'm not aware of any major design changes to the Catalina 25 between 1978 and 1979. However, in every year that the Catalina 25 was built, there were many factory options offered. This means that you could find two Catalina 25 boats the same year, and yet they might have many important differences between them. Also, by now there would likely be many different improvements and upgrades installed by provious owners over the years. So it's important to look at the condition and features of each Catalina 25 individually.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 10:32:34

If you are going to keep your boat in the water, sail often, trailer seldom (or never), get the fin. I love my fin. It is fast, points well, and is very low maintenance. It is better off-shore (no keel clunk). I believe it is faster and points higher than the wing.

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raulm
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2004 : 00:13:48

My plan is sailing at Lake Ontario and Thousand Islan. Is the fixed keel fine for this area? Or it will be better a swing keel?
I'm planning to keep the boat in the water. I do not have a truck big enogh for hauling

Thanks again for yours comments.
Raul

Edited by - on

bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2004 : 10:58:43

I bought a 1980 swing keel dinette style with the pop top. Its my first boat and I love it. The pop top gives extra head room and air circulation when its up. I've been told the catalina 25 is a great first boat and as far as I can see its true.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2004 : 21:55:52

"My plan is sailing at Lake Ontario and Thousand Islands..."

Sounds like there's plenty of 'cruising grounds' there to keep you happy...

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2004 : 12:43:16

Any keel would be fine for long term fresh water sailing in the 1000 islands. Fin or wing is less maintenance.

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