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wanted: catalina 25 help?

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uni_boy15
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/07/2004 : 20:26:11

hey evryone please help me. today i met a man named john v out here on isle royale and he really helped me out alot. My dad are looking to buy a sailboat about 25 feet long and as john said a catalina 25 would be a great boat for us to have for out big lake adventures. He recomended this web site and said to ask you guys about it. what would you recomend and do any of you know af a sailboat for sale in the midwest? Im from Galesburg Illinois and my dad and I could drive to pick it up. One more thing does anyone know of any good sailing schools? john told me about a guy named Colgate but im looking for a school in the florida keys. We will be going down there this xmas. Any healp from all of you would be great thanks alot, louis

great site just from reading past entries i learned alot

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 20:32:21

Check out the Swap Meet section. There are several C25s for sale there.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 21:00:04

Welcome, Louis! Do you mean THE John V. (as in Northern Michigan)? You found a great community. Where do you plan to sail, and what experience do you have? I don't mean to say that you must have experience to get into sailing--if so, none of us would be sailing! Have you spent some time on sailboats? The C-25 is in the 5000+ lb. range, which makes it more forgiving under sail than a little day-sailer, but a bit of a handful to handle around a dock, to rig, and to trailer. And there are some "rules-of-the-road" that you should understand--including some rules just for how sailboats deal with each other.

You're smart to look for a school--I can't help you with the Keys, but I'm guessing there's something down there--try Googling "sailing school florida keys". You may end up knowing more than the majority of us! But none of us knows everything (except maybe Leon, Bill, and a couple of others). So ask away!!

Check our Swap Meet forum--there are usually boats in just about every region.

Good luck!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/07/2004 21:01:49

uni_boy15
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 21:24:21

I’m not sure if it is "THE John V." but I do know he writes articles for a Catalina newsletter. I met him today he is out here on Isle Royale with a guy named Jake on a 10 day vacation does this sound like the same john? I haven’t spent a lot of time on a sailboat but I have done a little sailing in Boy Scouts I don’t think we will get a boat till my dad and I are both very comfortable on a sailboat by ourselves. Thats why we are going to take a class. we will be on lake superior most of the time and this is were I have had some of my experience. I have about 15hrs worth of sailing about a 13foot boat by myself just playing around at our rental house in Key Largo. Other than that I have been on a few rides with some sailors. Thanks for the help, Louis

Edited by - uni_boy15 on 07/07/2004 21:35:23

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 21:30:31

Hello Louis and welcome!

I admire the initiative you are taking to find yout first sailboat.

Here's a couple of links to help you get familiar with the C25 and what to look for when evaluating one.

http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/summertm.html

http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/summert2.html

Good luck and let us know how you progress!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2004 : 21:38:45

Ohhhh... Lake Superior! And you've sailed some... And you're 15. (I just checked your bio.) The C-25 is certainly Great Lakes-capable, as long as the weather is "reasonable." Few 25-footers would be any better. Another good possibility in the same general size and price range is the Pearson 26, a very solid, seaworthy boat for its size, but compared to the swing or wing keel C-25, not as trailerable--meaning you might have to have it transported to you if you don't find one in the area. You can Google that, too.

Best of luck in your quest...

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 01:18:03

Welcome to the forum...it is a great place to learn about both sailing and C-25s.

In addition to Googling Florida Keys Sailing Schools you might check out www.asa.com and www.ussailing for sailing schools.

Catalina 25s and 250s are great sailing boats and are affordable too.

Fair Winds.

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 07:46:03

Another place to shop for boats is
www.trailersailor.com and
www.boattraderonline.com

Edited by - on

RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 11:08:07

Hey, I graduated from Monmouth College. Now live in Tampa Bay.

The Catalina 25 is a great boat. A sailing school would be nice, but even without.....you could learn a lot just by sailing with someone else, and/or reading a few books.

When I lived in the MidWest, I always dreamed about the "Offshore Sailing School." I moved to Florida, and jumped on someone's boat at the Thursday night races in Tampa. It wasn't long before I knew most of what I needed. I also read a book, that I still refer back to on occassion.

Now I have my own Catalina 25 and I sail in the Gulf of Mexico.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

uni_boy15
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 12:10:29

WOW you guys are great!! Thanks for all the information and keep it coming! I'm leaving the park today and driving with my mom down western Lake Superior and up the Keweenaw. I'll be looking in all the classifieds I can find. I’m guessing there has to be at least one in Duluth/superior area. (RoofRoof-I know a few people going to Monmouth collage and my uncle lives in Clearwater now and he does that race through the Caribbean almost every year he has helped out a lot.) this is a great site I’ll let you guys know if I find any boats and see if anyone recommends the style and parts that may be on it. Thanks a lot! Louis

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 12:13:43

Welcome to the group.

Check out: www.yachtworld.com and www.sailnet.com

Lots of boats available.

Edited by - on

lancej
1st Mate

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81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 12:21:25

Can't go wrong w/ a C25. If you compare features for a boat this size, you won't find any better for a Great Lakes cruiser.

The Pearson 26 is okay and abundant as well, but not as beamy (wide) as the C25, and that makes all the difference to me in terms of sailing comfort. I wish the C25 had a 9' beam for that matter.

Another you might look at is a Cape Dory 25, arguably better looking, abundant, and with a full keel, very stable if not the fastest thing on the lake.

The only thing I wish my C25 hhad different would be a wider beam and more importatly, an inboard!!

Lance
85 FK/SR

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 14:03:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lancej
 The Pearson 26 is okay and abundant as well, but not as beamy (wide) as the C25, and that makes all the difference to me in terms of sailing comfort. I wish the C25 had a 9' beam for that matter.

Another you might look at is a Cape Dory 25, arguably better looking, abundant, and with a full keel, very stable if not the fastest thing on the lake.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well, Lance, then you might like the Pearson 26, which is 8" beamier and substantially heavier than the C-25.

Much nicer than the Cape Dory 25 is the Cape Dory 25D (diesel) and 26, which like most CDs are designed by Carl Alberg (the CD-25 isn't) Both are much roomier, more seaworthy, and much, much prettier.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/08/2004 14:27:07

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 15:42:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by uni_boy15
 I’ll let you guys know if I find any boats and see if anyone recommends the style and parts that may be on it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Pictures Louis, we like lots of pictures . . .

Edited by - on

lancej
1st Mate

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81 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2004 : 16:10:45

Dave...quite right, I was refering to the Cape Dory 25D, anything penned by Alberg is beautiful, for the most part,

Lance
85 FK/SR

Edited by - on

barmstro
1st Mate

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34 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 03:57:07

Louis
I may offend some of these fantastic people on this form But you might think about a Catalina 22. It is a great starter boat, normally very simply rigged but you can upgrade it with all the bells and whistles just like the big boys but at a lot less cost. I had mine for a year and 1/2 and love it. I just upgraded to the c25 and am I still adjusting to how much bigger the c25 is. I found my c22 was good for day sailing or over night trips but a little gramped for longer stays. both boats sailing very nicely

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 07:14:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...you might think about a Catalina 22. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I wholeheartedly agree. I've had my C-25 since 1981 and love it, but it's only a good choice if you have a slip to keep it in. The C-25 is not a good choice if you plan to frequently tow it someplace, launch it, sail it, and then pull it out and trailer it home. It takes a serious tow vehicle (i.e., expensive gas guzzler) to pull it, and it is not easy to raise and lower the mast (especially the tall rig). If you don't have a slip to keep it in, or you want to be more mobile with it, the C-22 can be towed with a smaller tow vehicle with a smaller engine, and, with practice, two people can launch it, set it up and sail away from the dock in 30 minutes. I also had a C22 before my C25, and think it would be a much better choice for a young sailor.

Edited by - on

RL
1st Mate

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USA
76 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 08:33:47

Welcome to the family. You've come to the right place to find out about a great line of boats. My brother and I have had our 25 for 10 years and she is a great boat, especially considering our sailing abilities. We started buying a boat then looking for a school. We've gone to 3 different sailing schools over the last 10 years. You'll find that there are many different ASA classes available depending on the skills you want. All three of the schools we attended, we felt were excellent. There were two in the Keys, both of which I would recommend to anyone. Both of which I plan on returning to for additional classes. In Fort Lauderdale look at Blue Water Sailing School http://www.bwss.com/ In Miami look at Go Native Yacht Charters http://www.gnyc.com/. But for your type of sailing, you may want to look at the Cheasapeak Bay area. In Annapolis, Md is the Annapolis Sailing School http://www.annapolissailing.com/.
All three of these schools we felt were excellent, that means they were able to teach us. The equipment was first rate, the instructors knew what they were doing and the experience was enjoyable. I'm sure there are many other fine schools to consider but if your looking for recommendations, give these a call.
Good luck with your search for a boat. The 25 is trailerable, but not with anything small. We move ours with a Ford 250 for trips over a couple of miles, and a Jeep Cherokee for small trips around the marina.

Edited by - on

uni_boy15
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 19:55:18

Hey everyone the trip was easy just a little rain in Wisconsin then it poured as soon as mom and I got home. The boat search was almost unsuccessful. I only found 2 cat 25's and one cat 20 in Duluth areas. Both the 25's were way out of my league like 8,000 for one and 13,000 for the other. I thought the 20 was a little under priced at 900 but I am not sure I have to call the guy and ask home about it I'm not sure of the year or specs. The ad says this:"Cal-20 keeled boat with trailer, motor and all sails." For a cheap starter boat how does that sound? I'll call the guy and I’m stopping to see it Monday. Should I find a boat surveyor to look it over? Or should I give it the, ”If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true!" look-over? I'll use OJ's evaluating page. But I'm not really sure what I’m doing. ok my situation at the park if you guys aren’t familiar with Isle Royale the waves can get pretty big and the closest harbor to anchor in is about 20-30 miles away so maybe this little boat will be one we could buy for this year and then sell it and upgrade for next year. I don’t know but I WILL take lots of pictures when I see it and post them for everyone to look over. Let me know if the Cal-20 would be a good starter boat or if it is something I should just forget about. We have a Chevy truck with a 6.2 diesel and we have a wagon with a 403 in it, I don’t think we will have a problem towing a 25 footer. Thanks for the help, Louis

Edited by - uni_boy15 on 07/09/2004 20:06:13

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 20:38:41

The Cal 20 is a popular one-design racer--especially on the West Coast--not because it's "racy" but because it the sweet spot price-performance-wise back in the 70s. That price is low for a Cal 20, but that may be due to any combination of condition, location, and the owner's need to make it disappear. The flush deck design is nice except in seas that are coming over the bow, where a cabin trunk helps keep the green water out of the cockpit or cabin. It has a decent hunk of ballast in the keel, so it should feel stable for a 20-footer. For more room below, simple rigging and sailing, easy resale, and lots of parts and support, I'd prefer the Catalina 22--I have to believe there are some within range of you, since it was one of the highest-volume cruising designs in history. IMHO, it's definitely a better starter boat than the C-25, which is just a little too big and heavy for learing to sail, and adds considerable complexity to rigging, launching, retrieving, hauling, storing, etc., etc.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/09/2004 20:49:10

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2004 : 23:48:08

I love it I simply love it. You guys are great. I met Louis at Washington harbor/windigo ranger station on Isle Royal. He is a neat kid and is really interested in sailing. Louis I really enjoyed meeting you and your dad and enjoyed sitting aboard Nin Bimash II showing you about the C25. Forum contributers, I told this lad that you would be full of support and you came through this is the best.
Jake and I made a 10 day circumnavigation of Isle Royal National Park.
It was truly amazing. The crossing of Lake Superior was great, kind of awsome to see the sonar drop to 835' and the water temp to 39 deg.
semi arctic if you ask me. I plan to write up the trip and send it on to John G. BTW we drove 1003 miles in a day and a half pulling the boat over the mountains of the north shore. launched in Grand Portage MN and departed in a thick fog for the island, about 22 miles out in Lake superior. GPS plotting helps a lot. I will send more details of the trip in a separate thread. I'm so glad you are welcoming my new friend Louis. He and his dad work for the NPS on Isle Royal and have the winter months when the park is closed for other sailing adventures.
now home at Neebish Island and will be sailing on into the North Channel in a few days.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2004 : 07:47:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John V.
 ...I told this lad that you would be full of support and you came through
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It's officially a "hot thread" now! I think we've all enjoyed "talking" with Louis and trying to envision his sailing grounds... (That water IS cold, isn't it! Now some people might understand why I suggested a cabin trunk to keep the water out.) I think of Superior as different from the other Great Lakes--more like the Pacific along the Alaska coast--and sometimes at least as treacherous. I saw a statistic once, and then forgot it, regarding the percentage of the world's fresh water in Lake Superior... It gives meaning to the word "awesome."

Keep the questions and ideas coming, Louis--and when the time comes, be safe!

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 14:49:00

Try this site www.yachtworld.com

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 20:21:49

I too used to own a Catalina 22 and it is definitely one of the best boats of all time. It's a great starter boat, and I'm glad I owned her before I bought my 25. Yes it is a lot easier to rig/derig than the 22. The Catalina 22 association is full of very nice and helpful folks to. With over 16,000 Catalina 22's built you will have no problem finding one. I have sailed for a week on one, and it is way too cramped for that, the 25 is much better for that.
I really liked my 22, but I do like my 25 better, as it suites my purposes better.

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 22:38:04

Dave, Lake Superior contains 1/10th of the worlds fresh water. I have not sailed in the pacific north west but I have sailed on the Atlantic as well as all the great lakes. This was my first experience on Lake Superior. The word up here is that the lake is friendly during the last two weeks of June and most of July but begins to snarl again as autumn sets in in August. The swells we encountered were long frequency though we were rising and falling five or six feet. with nearly 300 miles of fetch they were more like ocean swells than any of the other great lakes. hope you are well and enjoying the sailing this summer. with the new truck I am tempted to go transcontinental and sail the san juans if someone there would enjoy forming a small cruising fleet. We drove over 1000 miles in a day and a half pulling Nin Bimash II without any real problems.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 23:46:27

John: Those conditions are what I was referring to--the long-period swells (due to depth as well as fetch). As things get nastier, they become more like the conditions in Pacific storms. That's why a 700+ foot freighter like the Edmund Fitzgerald has been broken up on Superior. It is not a "lake" based upon most of our conceptions of the term.

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