Association Forum - Newbie questions

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Newbie questions

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

sterngucker
Navigator

Member Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/23/2004 : 08:31:58

(copied from Generic forum)
Hi everyone,
I am just joining the list and about to join the Catalina family. I have put a deposit down on a new 250 WB and the order will soon be placed. I understand there is about a five week turn around form the factory, so I am hoping to take possession around Memorial or first of June.

My biggest question and concern is the rudder. I understand the 3rd gen for the WB is considered too short and that some folks install the longer rudder that comes with the WK version. I also understand that if you use the longer WK version you must mount/unmount it in the water. I would welcome any comments. I am sure this horse has been beat many times on this list, but I haven't found any previous topic on it. One dealer told me Catalina would not ship a WB with a WK rudder. Another one told me it is cheaper to order it that way with the boat which he often does.

For accessory packages I am including the Carpeting, Cushions, Covers, Safety and Equipment, and Wheel Steering packages. Am I missing something I should include, or including something I should get third party?

I plan to limit my sailing between the San Jauns and the Sea of Cortez.
Thanks.

Soon be a Cat250 sailor in California

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/23/2004 : 09:17:40

One other suggestion that I didn't make in the other forum and you may have cut your deal by now... but a route my dealer offered and I was really impressed with was he suggested looking at the safety package carefully. It is only a deal if all the items are exactly what you want. My dealer offered a one time at cost order, to get exactly the items I wanted for the safey package and anything else I wanted to order to commission the boat.

I got all the pfd's, anchors, flares, boat hook, fenders, dock lines, windex, etc. in this one time deal.

Edited by - on

bsmudd
1st Mate

Members Avatar

61 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 11:56:31

No expert advice on the boat- but enjoy the San Juans!! I think you'll be in a perfect boat for them.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2004 : 18:29:55

After having quite a few boats with carpeting in them and a continual problem with mildew, I did not get the carpet in my new boat. The General was very hard on this one, NO CARPET. I found in my other sailboat the mildew formed very rapidly since it was shut up 4-5 days at a time, sometimes, after sailing. Even damprid could not keep all the mildew out. I use to keep 3 lbs of the stuff in the boat at all times. The teak and holly floor would be my option if I want to spend that kind of money. The other aspect is you could put carpet in yourself very easily and save some boat units ($$$). This would also allow you to remove it for cleaning and drying out.
Welcome to the Catalina family and hope you have many great days of sailing in your future.

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2004 : 23:45:56

Okay, here goes...
I just found out my new 250WB is going to be hull #821 and should arrive next Wednesday (6/23) at the dealer, "Sailboats of Bakersfield". I ordered the boat with wheel steering and the WK rudder. I realize I will have to attach/detach the rudder each time I trailer, but it seems to be my best choice at this time, per Arlyn's recommendation, as I intend to spend some time on blue water. I also ordered the cushion and cover packages but have chosen to assemble my own safety package.
I have been studying the archives for several weeks to put together a list of what to check for and plan to devote an entire day for checking out the boat and assisting Woody with the commissioning (he promised not to charge me extra for assisting him), and the next day on the water. I am somewhat surprised that no one has developed such a list on this forum, before now, that could evolve as current quality issues surface, such as screws through the water filler tube, mysterious starboard lists, and leaking combing boxes. I will post the list as soon as I finish it with the hope that everyone will comment.
The outboard (9.8 Tohatsu 4-stroke XLS) I received last week from Outboardsonline.com is still in the box in my garage and awaiting its new home. I plan to order the West Marine trolling motor connector for the battery hookup. It looks like the cleanest installation option I have seen on the forum. Is the 6 gallon metal fuel tank from Tempo the right tank to fit in the fuel locker?
As far as a name for my new baby, I am considering keeping the name from my old boat "Charlie's Angel" or maybe shortening it to "C Angel".
To be honest, after reading all the delivery horror stories I am somewhat apprehensive. I am hoping for the best and trying to educate myself against the worst. In my favor (or not), Woodland Hills is only a three hour drive away! Please keep your fingers crossed for me. The community this forum supports is incredible. Thanks.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2004 : 07:17:08

Congrats on the soon to arrive new boat. Sounds like you have done your homework well. If you haven't noted, Sail magazine has a new offering by Herb Payson on sailing the 250 on western lakes.

Best of luck with the commissioning.

Yes there are a lot of little things invovled with it that would benefit from a commissioning guide... maybe you can produce one for the group.

One of my contributions would be the head port windows. If the screen does not come installed in the port, be very careful that when installing it... to remove any filler piece in the rubber channel first. Adding the screen to the filler piece will stress and break the plastic hinges.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2004 : 22:37:15

Charlie: Make sure you are present when the boat is delivered on the transport truck and that you take photos of everything before, during, and after the boat is removed from the trailer. Make sure you document anything you think is wrong with the boat. I would love to see photos of how the boat is secured to the trailer and the transport truck.

During the commissioning of the boat make sure they explain and demonstrate everything for you. Make sure they go over the rigging and raise the mast for you so you can see how it is done and hook up any and all electronics and make sure they are working properly.

Ask a lot of questions, take notes, take more photos than you think you would ever need to take. Make sure the date feature on your camera is activated so that all of your photos have a date and time on them.

The dealer has to sign an acceptance for the boat from the factory, make sure you get a copy of that document.

Don't pay for the boat until it is delivered to your satisfaction and don't accept it until you are staisfied.

I hope all goes well and you have absolutely no problems, also that your dealer is a stand up guy and is your advocate during the entire process...if you get a dealer that is his own advocate it can cause problems down the road.

Get documentation on how to secure the boat to the trailer for transporting, when you are towing the boat.

DON'T pay a warranty fee and DON'T pay for your first year's National Association Dues.

I was screwed out of the dues and even though Frank Butler said he would make it good to me, but it seems he forgot to make good on that item, even though it was written in a letter to me.

Dan #727

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2004 : 18:30:43

Here is the latest... Last Wednesday the dealer told me there was some confusion at Catalina Yachts and I would not get my boat until July 7th. I thought, maybe, that I had jinxed it by reserving a guest slip in San Diego for the Fourth! Fortunately he called the next day to say that everything was straightened out and he would be going to Woodland Hills next Thursday to pick up the boat. We are planning to commsion on the following Friday and splash that afternoon maybe.

He also informed me that Catalina had gone back to CDI furlers instead of Schaefer and the sliding companionway hatch is now being made of fiberglass with a 12x12 inch smoked plexiglass window. I confirmed that the CDI furlers still have bushings instead of roller bearings. I hope that the return to CDI furlers is a good thing.

Lastly, I think my hull number is official, 799. More to come...

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2004 : 18:50:40

Charlie: It took two days to commission my boat with the dealer, his helper, and myself....best of luck!

Dan #727

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2004 : 21:40:30

Charlie, If you choose to use a drifter someday...the CDI advantage will be self evident. The ball bearing is a good upgrade.

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2004 : 00:24:49

I will definitely want a drifter as soon as I recover from this initial purchase, BU wise. Do you mention about the furler because the CDI doesn't use the jib halyard? That is definitely a plus. Also, I would like to ask again if the Tempo metal 6 gal fuel tank is the one that fits in the fuel locker? Thanks. I received a three gal tank with the motor so this isn't so critical at this point.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2004 : 17:09:31

Charlie... yes the Tempo six gallon metal tank though expensive, will fit in the locker.

Its not just having the jib halyard available for a drifter... the greater issue is that the CDI furler does not require a fairlead forward on the mast down from the masthead.... its that fairlead that causes the routing of the jib halyard on a Shaffer furler to interfere with the drifter.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2004 : 17:21:06

Charlie I found a red plastic 6 gal. at either West Marine or Boat US. It fits snug, but I don't pull it out often use funnel to add gas when needed, I like it.
Good luck when you receive new boat. Wondering if it is too late to check on the battery set up. I bought two batteries and they were installed in the aft compartment with the battery switch as pictured.

The switch is easy to reach (especially after you clean and close up the boat and realize opps forgot to turn the swicth off, just push the hatch foward and reach in.
My dealer has told me (as well as witnessing at boat shows) that Catalina has mounted batteries both up front on starboard side under seat (can cause starboard list since motor is also on that side), one up front the other in the rear compartment

(figure out that logic?!) and last I saw a 250 with both batteries in rear and horrors...the switch also mounted on rear bulkhead (now what a pain to turn that switch on or off

!
Also small thing, check the seal around the front hatch. It is an easy fix, but if overlooked makes for a very wet bow berth! I found out the first time I hosed the deck off.
Last I upgraded to the CDI FF4 bearing. I think I paid around 100.00 for the part, but was told I beat the price increase ( back in the spring). Not 100% satisfied, guess I had higher expectations of ease of furling in high winds. The spinlock clutch was the best furler feature I've added.

Much luck!

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 11:35:28

I have put together a list of things to check at commission above and beyond the list in the Catalina handbook. The entire list including the handbook list can be found at [url="http://home1.gte.net/res0pmyk/CatStuff/commish.htm"]commission list[/url] , the list I have been collecting is shown below for convenience. Your comments and additions will be greatly appreciated. When I have completed commissioning on my new boat (now set for a Tuesday delivery) I will update this list and hope to have it included in the Forum's Technical Tips. Thanks.

Catalina 250 commission checklist
List created from member websites, forum topics, and suggestions

1.____Make sure vent hose for the propane locker has no water trap in it

2.____Are there 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?

3.____Check the entire boat systematically for gel coat crazing

4.____Check coaming compartments for leaks

5.____Check fresh water tank/filler hose for leaks and/or punctures from screws

6.____Refer to 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.

7.____With the boat in the water, check to see how it sits on it’s waterline, no list port to starboard.

8.____If the boat has a Schaefer furler, check the turnbuckle retaining clip and the halyard retaining clip on the mast.

9.____Check that the ballast tank valve seals properly and that the valve shaft seal is working as it should.

10.____ Check the head port windows. If the screen does not come installed in the port, be very careful that when installing it and remove any filler piece in the rubber channel first. Adding the screen to the filler piece will stress and break the plastic hinges.

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 11:47:00

I am also curious as to just how many bolts I will have to remove to attach and remove the rudder each time I get it ready (since I can't trailer with the 3rd gen rudder)

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2004 : 23:50:59

You don't have to remove any bolts to remove the rudder. The top pintle has a hole in it for a carter pin or ring. If you have wheel steering the same will apply to the pin that keeps it in place. So it is a matter of removing one or two carter pins or rings. I use the big stainless rings for ease of removal and install.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2004 : 08:52:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by frog0911
 So it is a matter of removing one or two carter pins or rings. I use the big stainless rings for ease of removal and install.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
cotter
split rings have the one end turned to the center.[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=696&subdeptNum=323&storeNum=2&productId=8253"]split ring[/url]

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2004 : 11:08:41

Wow Charlie, I think I scored seven or eight out of ten there.....

I'm glad that what I learned in combination with this forum allow you to approach the subject with a better understanding. However, I suspect that there are other things Catalina can throw at you we haven't even thought of yet....

I'm sure you'll keep us informed.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">With the boat in the water, check to see how it sits on it’s waterline, no list port to starboard.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The boat is relatively light. It is impossible to design a boat that will sit level for every engine weight. After my caniption I removed all personal belongings and floated the boat again. It sat almost level, with the 110lb Honda 9.9 on it. With a lighter engine it will sit level. So, in the end there was nothing wrong with the boat. If you're picky and want her to sit level at the dock you will have to carefully place stuff on it. Tools and cans of beans/bottles of water all matter.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Oscar
Catalina 250WB#618 Currently FOR SALE:
http:www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

Edited by - Oscar on 06/28/2004 11:11:48

mday
Navigator

Members Avatar

197 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2004 : 18:00:49

Charlie,

I have a C250 WB that I keep in the water. It has a rather heavy Evinrude 9.9 4 stroke and two group 27 batteries in the rear. The "ring" on the waterline definitely has the boat tilted slightly to the starboard engine side, but hardly enough to cause any concern. I've had it out in lots of different weather conditions and not had any problems I would attribute to boat balance. It sails well and is lots of fun -- I'm sure yours will be too.

I believe have the short WB 3rd gen rudder on my boat now and I'd say it handles very well into the wind and wanders a bit going downwind. I wasn't able to mount the rudder without unbolting the lower pintle from the rudder and swing it into place. This rudder rides maybe 18" off the ground while on the trailer. I hope you don't have to do this every time you launch and pullout -- it will get annoying very quickly and have lots of disgruntled people on the ramp waiting for you.

Max

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2004 : 21:37:55

Hi Everyone,
My boat arrived in Bakersfield today (~100 miles away)!

I am planning to take the motor there early Thursday morning and help finish the commish. I will also be taking a very large pile of equipment and supplies, not to mention luggage and such for I will be traveling from the dealer to San Diego for a long weekend. This is going to be a weekend I will not soon forget, no matter how it goes. Wish me luck and I will report on the commissioning and my first weekend aboard when I return. Thanks to everyone for their help and support. See you on the water!

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2004 : 01:28:31

Charlie,
Congratulation on your "new arrival"! Fair winds!

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 03:34:49

What a fantastic weekend! The everything on the boat worked very well. No issues that I have uncovered so far. Lots of projects and improvements to get started on. Many more technical questions to ask now, but that will be on a new post

. Click [url="http://home1.gte.net/res0pmyk/SanDiego_pics/040704.htm"]HERE [/url]to see our first adventure on "C Angel". Many thanks to everyone, especially Jim and Gary of San Diego

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 10:39:52

Fabulous! Thank you for the effort to post those pictures.
I don't think I ever get much sleep on the hook, I do it very seldom so every time is like the first time. If I am not awake wondering if we are dragging I am asleep dreaming we are dragging so I wake up. It is a vicious cycle.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 11:01:42

... Click HERE to see our first adventure on "C Angel". - Charlie

I've tried several times to view the photos, but nothing works ... 'anyone know what the problem might be?

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 11:26:42

Buzz,
If you're getting text and no pictures, and you're on a dial-up be patient. Where I work (believe it or not) we are stuck with 24K dial-up and it takes the pictures quite some time to download. I used MS Word to put the web page together and I am sure it is not very efficient. I could possibly make the pictures smaller, or use a real web page editor to publish. If the link doesn't take you to the web page at all, that is another problem entirely. Any web savvy folks have suggestions? Jim and Karen?

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 11:34:31

Buzz, If you're getting text and no pictures, and you're on a dial-up be patient. - Charlie

I've got high-speed cable. I'm able to read the text, but there are no photos, no matter how long I wait ... I'll try it again.

My hard drive crashed last week, and I had to replace it. At the same time, I bought Windows XP, so I'm getting used to a new version of Windows. I've checked all the settings I know to check, but maybe I'm missing one ...

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.