Association Forum

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 25 Specific Forum

22 0r 25

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

wj
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/20/2002 : 10:39:10

We are new to the sailboat world but have decieded that we would like to try it. We have been powerboating for 30 years (and still do) but have wanted a sailboat about as long. We have about decieded that a Catalina would be a good boat for us but don't know if a 22 would suit our needs or if we would wish we had a 25. We boat on large lakes that are a hour or more from home. We would have to trailer the boat and have a full sized Blazer for a tow vehicle. We would spend a lot of nights on the boat. There would be from 2-3 adults and one child. We would also like to cook onboard. I am sure some of you have owned both and can give us some insight. We have looked at some 22's but havent found a 25 that we could compare to. If we deciede a 25 is the way to go we will expand our search.
Thanks in advance

Edited by - on

jm
Captain

Members Avatar

Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 11:40:00

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 11:52:48

Your quandry reminds me of the evening I purchased a Catalina 22. As we were motoring out of the marina for a test sail I was busy rigging the sails. After about 30 minutes of sailing I closed the deal with a hand shake. Then, not 10 minutes later as we were motoring back into the marina I noticed a Catalina 25, and I thought hmmm. Then we motored past a Catalina 27 and I thought, woe. Then I saw a Catalina 30, looked down at the Catalina 22 I had just purchased and said to myself, "I gotta get a bigger boat!" If you haven't seen the interior of the Catalina 25 compared to the 22 you'll be amazed. You referred to "we" a couple of times and a "lot of nights on the boat." Once you peruse a 25, it will be a no-brainer. Even if you don't have a lot of sailing under your belt, find someone to teach and sail with you until you're comfortable with the 25. It will be a lot less hassle that buying a 22, discovering it's too small <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>, selling the 22 and then buying a 25.

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ(Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

Edited by - on

Steve
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 13:09:23

I've owned four Catalina 22's over the years, believe it or not, before finally moving up to the 25. The 22 is a great boat, but you'll be much happier in the long run with a 25. It's a much bigger, roomier boat with a lot more interior space. I've owned 10 boats in my life and each one I thought "this is it". Every one was gone within a year, except for the 25 which I've proudly owned for 3 years now. I don't trailer my 25, although I believe a lot of people do. Sounds like you've got the right vehicle, at least.

Steve
87 Tall Rig WK
"Island Time"
Mobile, AL

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 13:25:09

My dad and I have had a Santana 21 since 1976, just sold it last year and got a Cat 25. Now my wife will go sailing with me and I feel more comfortable going on trips to SF bay etc. I think small boats are the way to learn, but in this case I say go with the 25
Matt

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 14:51:10

I have sailed numerous boats over time, including a 22 and a 25. If you plan on spending time on board as you say and have 3 adults...the 25 is definitely the way to go. Have you thought of getting a slip at a marina on this Lake? It will save you the hour tow each way and could be well worth the $$

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
On the Hard for another Winter
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 15:06:03

What they all said... 4 people overnight in a 22 is... eeeew, I don't want to think about it! My characterization of the 25 is, "Drinks 6, eats 4, sleeps 2"--but that's conservative. At least you have an enclosed head (ours is a porta-potti), which for a family is a huge advantage over a potti under the v-berth.

When you do get to looking at the 25, keep in mind that for trailering, there's the swing keel and in later years the wing keel. Both sit about the same on the trailer and need the same water to launch/retrieve. The swing is somewhat faster upwind, but brings some maintenance issues along--especially if the boat has been in salt water. We're talking 1500# of cast iron just itching to crash down when the cable lets go in the up position! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Unless you want to race, the wing is probably worth the higher price (for a newer boat). I own a fin (4' draft), but I don't trailer it. It could actually be our last boat--until we get our Nordic Tug! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - bristle on 02/20/2002 15:09:31

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 15:17:57

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Have you thought of getting a slip at a marina on this Lake? It will save you the hour tow each way and could be well worth the $$
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

...or more particularly, it'll save you the time and effort of setting up and breaking down the rig each trip! There, the 22 has an avantage... It takes a while to get good at it, and by then, it's gotten REAL OLD! (I know, I know, I'm old and lazy...)

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

n/a
deleted

Members Avatar

31 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 15:29:54

Hello WJ
I had a 22 ft boat before the Catalina 25. When staying overnight it seemed small for just one person. For 3 or 4 I would say it would be a NO NO. I would get a 25 but be sure you wish to trailer it. It would be heavy and I would recommend getting a slip and leaving it at the lake except for special trips.

Bob Arrowood
C-25, SK SR, 82

Robert B. Arrowood

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2002 : 15:34:45

WJ - I've owned a C22 (the late "Bluewind" on which we did the ultimate bottom job<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>) and now have a C25 ('81 model TRFK). It is no contest as to which is the more comfortable boat - there is only 3' difference in length, but the internal volume increase is amazing!
It is also a little less tender and it sails like a dream. I haven't trailered mine, but having hauled & splashed a couple of times for yard work I would definitely agree with Dave Bristle about looking into getting a slip.
Derek on "This Side Up"
P.S. Whereabouts is Bowie in Texas? I'm in San Antonio and race on Canyon Lake.

Edited by - on

wj
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2002 : 02:12:32

Thanks for all the replies and good advice. It looks like we need to start looking at 25's. We will probably get a slip but since we have several great lakes (Texoma, Possom Kingdom, Ray Roberts, Eagle Mountin, Bridgeport, Waurika)all within about a hour we will want to try several of them to see which we like the best. I also like to be able to do most of my own repairs and would rather be able to do them here at home rather than at a marina.

Steve, my wife loves the picture of Ode to Joy. I think that alone made her want a 25.

Dave, the enclosed head sounds like it would make a lot of difference.I think the swing keel would be best for us since some of the lakes and ramps around here are fairly flat and not too deep in places.

Dereck, Bowie is 50 miles south of Wichita Falls on 287. We are about 65 from Fort Worth. I have hauled several 3,500 lb vehicles on trailers behind my old Blazer and wasn't too crazy about it. I hope the sailboat would pull some better as I think (hope) it would be balanced better. I will want brakes on the trailer. I do thnk it would get old prety fast but I do want the ability to do it when I need or want to.

We arent quite ready to purchase one yet in fact we havent even found anyone to take us out on anything bigger than a Hobie 16, but we have wanted one for years and are thinking its time to either do it or forget it. I have several people willing to help us learn. I work with a great guy that was raised in San Juan and has sailed all his life. He moved here and really misses the water. My brother in law has sailed a lot but he is mainly a Hobie Cat guy. We will start learning on one of them as soon as the water gets warmer. Maybe by then we will run into someone willing to take us out on a larger boat.

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2002 : 17:14:59

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I think the swing keel would be best for us since some of the lakes and ramps around here are fairly flat and not too deep in places.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

WJ: I may not have been clear on this... The wing keel draws just 2 inches more than the RAISED swing keel. That may be hard to imagine, but it seems to work fine for several folks on this forum. When you're talking about 1500#, having no moving parts is a good thing! I think (but don't know) that the wings replaced the swingers in about 1987. A few have been retrofitted.

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - bristle on 02/21/2002 22:32:01

Edited by - on

judcary
Deckhand

Members Avatar

5 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2002 : 19:02:02

I have a Catalina 25TM FK for sail on Grapevine Lake. Would you like to come and look at it? rjc11@yahoo.com

We are new to the sailboat world but have decieded that we would like to try it. We have been powerboating for 30 years (and still do) but have wanted a sailboat about as long. We have about decieded that a Catalina would be a good boat for us but don't know if a 22 would suit our needs or if we would wish we had a 25. We boat on large lakes that are a hour or more from home. We would have to trailer the boat and have a full sized Blazer for a tow vehicle. We would spend a lot of nights on the boat. There would be from 2-3 adults and one child. We would also like to cook onboard. I am sure some of you have owned both and can give us some insight. We have looked at some 22's but havent found a 25 that we could compare to. If we deciede a 25 is the way to go we will expand our search.
Thanks in advance

[/quote]

Edited by - on

FrankV
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2002 : 20:57:52

I have a boat on Grapevine lake about 1.5 hours from Bowie and we sail every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting). If you feel like coming for a ride let us know. We owned a C-scow, a Hobie 16 and a Cat 22. For now, the 25 is tops. I would second or third the recomendation to get a slip. You will enjoy the boat more.

f.vaughan@verizon.net

Edited by - on

wj
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2002 : 01:50:15

Frank we would love to go out with you.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Just let me know the time and place to meet you. I sent you a email but in case you didn't get it mine is jon1183@dellepro.com
Bristle I didn't think the wing keel was that short. It sounds like the way to go if I can find one that I can afford.

Edited by - on

wj
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2002 : 20:51:44

We went to Grapevine lake today, the first thing we did was meet Jud and look at his 25. Really nice folks and a great boat. He was kind enough to take time out to show it to us knowing we were not looking for a boat with fixed keel. Then we met Frank at a different marina. His friend that was going to help him sail didn't show and I think he was a little aprehensive about going out with the wind gusting to about 30 mph with 3 people that didnt know a jib from a jibe. But out we went anyway. What a blast... we didnt put up the mainsail and still were making 7 knots. My wife is hooked. He then spent a lot of time showing us different boats and explaining the differences. I think that, after looking at them, the 25 is going to be too much for us since we will have to trailer it. We are thinking of a 22 for now. I really liked the 25 and would like to have the extra room but that extra weight to tow and time to rig the larger boat is a bit too much for beginners. Thanks to everyone for the advice and especially to Jud & Frank for the time and help. We talked about how much fun it was all the way home!!

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2002 : 21:43:21

WJ: Sounds like you've scoped it out right. The C-25 is a BIG boat for trailering and rigging. While you're at it, you might want to look at things like the Capri and Precision 18s, which are slightly scaled down C-22s with masts that go up even easier, but they also have nice freeboard, some ballast, and modest sailplans for stability and forgiveness. They may be a little harder to find on the used market--the C-22 is ubiquitous!

All the best in your quest...

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

Nancy Cole
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2002 : 17:48:05

WJ:

My two cents: Go with the 25. I have a good friend who has a 22 and we sail together often. Every time he's on my boat, he cursing and talking to himself about being stupid and short-sighted. And I am the original new old sailor. The 25 was a good training vessel - it will stand me in good stead while I search for something bigger.

Cheers

Nancy Cole
By George ('78 #501)
New London, CT

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2002 : 22:27:49

But Nancy... Are you dragging yours around behind your car and stepping/unstepping the mast each weekend??

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2002 : 10:17:17

Kudos to Jud and Frank for exercising the spirit of sailing! <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ(Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

Edited by - on

whisper
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2002 : 22:57:01

I have both a 22 and a 25. The 25 was purchased just this last October. Let me be honest. The 22 is a 1996 fixed wing. The 25 is a fixed wing. The difference is weight is about 2200 #'s. We had the full canvas on the the 22 which gave us full head romm in most of the cabin. It's not bad, for two. Remember when towing you have to be able to stop it and you also have to raise/lower the mast. My thaught is that since your new to the sport of sailing I would opt for a 22 to make sure this is something you enjoy. Go out on your own for a while before taking others out. If at all possible see if you can go out or crew on a sailboat before taking the plunge. The 22 is not that expensive and is easily set up, you could try the other lake before settling down to one with a slip.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2002 : 15:12:55

Whisper is right. Go on as many boats as you can. Our sail club has Th. night races, and someone is always looking for crew. There are quite a few members of the club sans boat that still get a lot of sailing in. We have had a 21 not catalina since 76 and just moved up to the cat 25 with a fin. Love it but would like something with a bit longer wheel base than our jeep GC for towing. Honstly raising the mast isn't that much more dificult than the 21, just a few more wires to figure out. My next job is orgainzing them a little better.
Matt

Edited by - on

jkey6
1st Mate

Members Avatar

71 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2002 : 08:30:19

We use our boat similar to your needs. We have 2 adults and 2 middle school sized kids. We sleep many nights.

Our first boat was a C22 and for 3 years we 'invented' ways to sleep on it. Nothing worked well. As my kids grew it became nearly impossible. Also, you can't get to the head when someone is sleeping in the v-berth. It literally is under the v-berth cushions... Head room of the c-22 requires even big kids to stoop down unless the pop top is up.

In 2000 we opted to trade up to a new C250WK. We chose the C250 overt the C25 primarily for its sleeping accomadations. The C250 has a full sized bed under the cockpit. 2 adults there and 2 in the v-berth is easy. You can add a kid or 2 as well and still fit fine.

Cooking and head accomadations are equally good in the C25 and the C250.

Take your time as you learn, many power boat folks are surprised how quickly sailing can make them (us) white knuckled. Go slow and take the plunge, but 1 small step at a time. It is easy to get a sailboat into situations, that without experience, can be difficult (and dangerous) to get out of. There will be time you will miss the power that you have with a power boat to get you out of predicaments. After you cut your teeth you will find that you never needed all that power afterall.

When we first started sailing our C22, I had sailed Sunfish's on and off for 5 or 6 years. It still took us a couple of years to get confident/ proficient with the C22. I think that I could have become proficient with my C250 as quickly or possibly quicker than I did in my old C22. The C250 (and most C25s) have jib roller furlers, and other sail controls that make life at the helm a lot easier. The larger boat is also less tossed about by weather. It does not take much of a blow at all to have water coming over the bow of a C22. I still remember my first thunderstorm in our C22. I've never had water break over the bow of my C250 (and hope I never do).

Good luck and happy sailing,

JKEY, "All Keyed Up" C250WK.

Edited by - on

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.