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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Next boat purchase

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2004 : 10:51:34

I bought my 1979 SK TR just 2 years ago. Most of my sailing experience was in Tampa Bay for the Davis Island Thursday night racing. The problem was that, in the bay ...being mostly land locked, the winds were very light most of the racing season. So, I wanted a smaller boat that could still move in light winds. I was actually looking at boats smaller and lighter than the C-25, but my better half wanted a real marine head, etc. etc. The C-25 seemed like a great compromise.
Well, we actually sail in the Gulf of Mexico just off of Tampa Bay. The wind and waves are far greater than in Tampa Bay. Often we are scared to death of both the wind and waves. So, hopefully a hurricane takes our boat (I could never sell it for what I have in it) then I'll be shopping for something else.

Question is: What other boats has everyone been dreaming about? I want some speed, better wave handling, and something not as tender as my C-25 SK. Hopefully NOT a full keel also.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5907 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 12:03:29

What size boat are you looking for?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 12:24:36

Pearsons are great buys

Edited by - on

trent
1st Mate

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USA
44 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 12:33:42

I always wanted a Tanzer when I lived in Houston, don't know a thing about them.

Pearson's have always caught my eye.

I'm getting the 25 in such good shape that nothing else is catching my eye right now. Mine is the best looking girl on my dock!

\trent

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 13:11:31

C-30

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 16:10:38

About a month ago, I repeatedly called and left messages in response to a classified ad for a C28, but I never got a response.

Currently, I have a rather loose eye on a nearby C34, but even if the deal were unbelieveable, I don't think I would pick it up because I can't justify the additional money's and maintenance costs out of the family budget just so I can singlehand a bigger vessel.

Now, if the guy selling that C28 would call...well!!!

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 16:11:27

Can't go wrong with another Catalina. The size you want/need/get is directly proportional to the amount of money you are willing to spend. An earlier post mentioned a C30...great boat. We just went from a C25 to a C320...great boat. My dock neighbor has a C38...great boat.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 17:02:37

I'm done with Catalinas. Nothing wrong with them, just want something new. I've looked at Beneteaus, Tartans, older Hunters, C&C's, O'days along with a zillion others. I don't discriminate if the boat is what I'm looking for I will take a gander. Something 30 to 38 feet would be the next vessel.

dw

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 18:42:33

Alan,

There's a bunch of C30s out there and it will probably be my next boat. I'd review the web forum for whatever model you're considering (of course most if not all of those opinions will have bias.)

Regarding size, keep in mind two things (1) boat maintenance costs go up exponentially as the size of the boat increases (2) many sailors trade down in size as they grow older - those sails get a little heavier every year . . .

Good luck!

Edited by - OJ on 06/03/2004 19:33:18

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 19:43:54

I'm the weird one! If I were to get rid of osmepneo, I'd downsize. Something really trailerable, with a larger cockpit. I like some things in the Hunter 216, but it is a Hunter and as a Catalina type guy, well you understand.

I've always liked C&c's and if I were to upgrade and leave Catalina something around 30 would be an option. Probability of upgrading is zero (0), and I like the idea of something really trailerable.

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 20:03:18

Gee no full keels ! My feelings are hurt. Well ok not realy. If you want something fast that has plenty of interior room and an inboard try and find a San Juan 29.

Edited by - on

eric.werkowitz
Captain

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USA
283 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 20:06:56

Try this:

http://www.geminicatamarans.com/Exterior_Telstar.htm

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 21:48:19

No full keel... That leaves out the most seakindly boats, if not the faster ones. Advertising hyperbole aside, stability and "wave handling" are in conflict with speed, unless you go to a large multi-hull, which has some interesting characteristics of its own.

My dream? Cape Dory 36. Purely a dream.

Edited by - on

rford
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 22:00:31

As long as we are just dreaming .... I really like the JBoats.

http://www.jboats.com/j32/html/j32intro.htm

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 23:26:11

I have spent a lot of time looking in the past six months, and expect to close on a new (to me) boat as soon as I can find a buyer for "Wood Duck" (Shh! don't tell her) and one of my houses. Here is what I have come up with:

First, "tender" and "stiff" describe the tendency of boats to heal when going to windward. Many full keel boats are quite tender at first and stiffen up as the wind increases. The C25 is just the opposite--stiff in gentle breezes and finally quite tender in a blow. Two things principally affect sailboat stability: the ratio of ballast to total displacement (the higher the more seaworthy) and the total wetted surface (the less the faster). In the 28 to 34 foot range:

Westsail 32: unbreakable blue water boat but slower than molasses.
Morgan OutIsland 40 and 34: solid bluewater boat, but slow (but lots of room below decks)
Contessa 32 )
Nicholson 32) Great ocean-going sailboats with a decent turn of speed.
Southern Cross 28 and 30: Not a J-boat, but no slugs and very seaworthy.
AlbinVega 27 & Westerly 26: Solid bluewater boats in an economical size. Can be had in decent condition for under 20 grand
Some shoal-draft, full keel w/ daggerboard models of Pearson and Bristol from the late 70's and early 80's can be made into bluewater boats with the right equipment (and time and money). Figure 15K to 35K depending on age and condition.
Tartan 28: nice fast boat solidly built, fin keel but with good ballast-to-displacement ratio.
C&C 34: solid boat, built in fin keel and shoal keel versions. Figure 35-45K for an early 80's late 70's version.
Catalina 38 (S&S design): a very solid boat with a turn of speed.
Morgan 34: a solid fiberglas go-anywhere boat with a shoal draft keel and a nice turn of speed. Early 70's: figure 25K or more in good condition.
Pacific Seacraft Orion 26: beautiful bluewater boat that sails well. Figure 60K for a mid 80's in good condition.
Island Packet 26: 40-50K for an early 80's. Great boat with good space (because not a double-ender)

There are many others I am forgetting about. In a shorter length try a Quickstep 24.

Remember the old adage: you get what you pay for. The cheaper the price, the more work it will require. Even pricing your own labor as free, the more expensive boat often turns out to be cheaper in the long run. Not to mention the time you have spent on the water instead of on land scraping, polishing, repairing, etc.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 23:42:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by osmepneo
 I'm the weird one! If I were to get rid of osmepneo, I'd downsize. Something really trailerable, with a larger cockpit. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Capri 22 wing keel, huge cockpit, fast, trailerable, CHEAP.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 04:14:08

I LOVED my Tartan 30 which sailed like a witch, had a great rating, loved the ocean, was fast as well as stable. An S and S design, the auxiliary was in the cabin, not under the cockpit, so the weight was where you want it, right over the keel. For similar money, they are, IMHO, FAR superior to a C30 and lots of other production boats...Mine was not great for motoring, but sailing? Get out of the way....Fin keel with skeg hung rudder; they track well, yet are nimble and SAFE. Yes, they are older , but one in good shape is really hard to beat. Read the Practical Sailor review of them; it's getting old now, but they really liked this boat! Also, ever see a copy of "How to Buy the Best Sailboat" by Gustovson? Most of the photos in there of how to do things right are off a Tartan 30..... If I had more money, I would buy my old one back.....

But...for a guy on a real budget, this trailerable C25 of mine is really hard to beat for utility and practicality.....old story, but when I sold my Tartan 30, I bought this old Catalina 25 BACK, as I had owned it before.....15 years now, all told....Lots of bang for the buck, and no more expensive haul-outs....

Gary B.
Vice Commodore
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - Gary B. on 06/04/2004 04:21:53

cvwall
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 08:16:51

Hinckley B40 Cutter rig. A real dream boat . . .

Edited by - on

matsche
Captain

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USA
280 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 08:35:46

Gary B: What year was your Tartan?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:06:39

People remember he said gulf of Mexico off Tampa Bay. Does he really need a BLUE WATER BOAT? I actually don't know, how rough does it get in there?

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:43:31

Ranger 33! Affordable. Excellent Performance. Good seakeeping ability.

Edited by - on

kindtampa
Deckhand

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USA
1 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 09:47:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Well, we actually sail in the Gulf of Mexico just off of Tampa Bay. The wind and waves are far greater than in Tampa Bay. Often we are scared to death of both the wind and waves. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmm I'm looking to get into sailing, and I was considering a C25 or Hunter 25.5. I was under the impression a C-25 was fine for costal sailing... I also live in the Tampa bay area, and was typically going to use the boat mostly off of Clearwater, Dunedin, and south around Sarasota. Am I off on this? Is the gulf to rough for a C25 and a begineer?

I've honestly never sailed, so I was going to join a group of "Single Sailors" who for a VERY nominal fee allow single people to learn to sail. Seems to be a much cheap method to learn besides paying $325-$400 for 2 days of lessons.

Here the their site btw.
http://home.att.net/~baysailors/new_page_1.htm

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5907 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 10:52:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I also live in the Tampa bay area, and was typically going to use the boat mostly off of Clearwater, Dunedin, and south around Sarasota. Am I off on this? Is the gulf to rough for a C25 and a begineer?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Sailboats are designed for specific uses. If you intend to use the boat for sailing offshore in any weather, then you want a boat that is designed as a "bluewater cruiser." If you intend to use the boat for sailing on inland lakes, bays, and for cruising the coast in fair weather, then you will probably want a boat that is designed as a "coastal cruiser." The most important single difference between them is that the bluewater cruiser is sturdy enough that it can take the punishment of a storm for a longer period of time than a coastal cruiser. Naturally, bluewater boats are generally much more expensive than coastal cruisers. Many bluewater cruisers are slow and sluggish performers, although there are many exceptions to that general observation.

I cruised my C-22, in the Gulf Of Mexico and along the IC Waterway, from Tampa Bay to Ft. Myers. When my C-25 was new, I sailed it in the Gulf around Destin/Ft. Walton Beach. The C-25 is a "coastal cruiser," and is a joy to sail along the coast in fair weather. Reportedly, some C-25s have successfully made some long, open-water passages, but most sailors don't consider that a prudent thing to do in a C-25.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5907 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 11:23:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">we actually sail in the Gulf of Mexico just off of Tampa Bay. The wind and waves are far greater than in Tampa Bay. Often we are scared to death of both the wind and waves. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The area around the mouth of Tampa Bay is often rough enough to be a little intimidating. The tides going in and out of the bay create strong currents and choppy water. Just north of that area is Mullet Key. It is a large shallow area (about 4 feet) that is attractive to shallow draft boats, but that small boats should stay well clear of. I foolishly wandered in there in my C-22 and was almost pitchpoled by a huge breaking wave that "came out of nowhere." If you get away from the Tampa Bay inlet, the wind and waves offshore are usually less intimidating.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 11:33:17

Roof Roof,

Erik was close. It sounded like you wanted a Gemini 105. Or so think I.

Val on Caliusta # 3936
Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2004 : 13:53:37

John: My Tartan was a 1976...Farymann diesel, Edson steering, radar, the whole bit. Farymann was loud and thumping one cylinder, but RELIABLE and simple.....it was NOT a great "motor vessel" however, IMHO.

I have actually looked for her in the last year. Had a chance to buy her back 2 years ago, but my girls going off to college soon scared me too much.....so I kept the Cat 25. Now they both have full rides.......hum....maybe........nah.....stay simple; be happy.....

Gary B.
Vice Commodore

Edited by - on

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