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Radix
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/12/2004 : 20:21:12

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster. :) I just began the journey toward becoming a Catalina sailor - my wife and I took our first weekend of sailing classes. We learned a fair amount - names for parts of the boat, points of sail, tacking, jibing, etc. We mostly just need practice. We're on 8' Sabots now...my knees are raw from rolling back and forth under the boom while repeatedly tacking and jibing. I can't wait to work my way up to a keel boat. Then on to my own Catalina!

Anyway, just excited, thought I'd share. Hopefully I will be officially joining your ranks soon.

P.S.- If anyone is interested, I'm taking my classes at Mission Bay Aquatic Center (www.mbac.nu) in San Diego. It's for anyone associated (student, alumni, faculty, etc.) of a San Diego area college, and it's MUCH cheaper than the other schools in the area. So far I am very impressed with the equipment, teachers, everything!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2004 : 21:51:56

Radix,

Welcome! We certainly look forward to hearing about your progress towards boat ownership . . .

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2004 : 22:28:18

I've scraped my knees on my C-25 too, hoisting and dousing the main from the non-skid cabintop in a big chop, until I led the halyard and a dousing line back to the cockpit. Now my knees aren't bloody--just funny-looking.

Good luck in your quest, Radix... Bring your questions and stories here!

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 08:12:59

There is a very active Catalina 25 fleet in San Diego, contact Gary Norgan or Jim Baumgartner on this Forum for details. I am sure that either of these gentlemen would be glad to help you on your way to becoming a Catalina owner.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 09:21:14

Welcome aboard matey!

And guess what?

The excitment never ends

I'm very glad to hear you are taking a class. You also might want to look into the USCG Aux. class or US Power Squadron class for boat safety. When I bought my first Catalina, a C-22, I took the USCG Aux. Standard Boating class. The certification can help you with insurance rates. And besides, you don't want to be one of those fiberglass turn-key idiots in the news.

Edited by - on

Radix
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 11:08:01

Thank you all for the kind welcome. I have been following Fleet 7's activities, and will definately be in touch when I get closer to the purchase. In fact, I called Marina Village to see about slip availability already...nothing!

Next I will be taking Advanced Sailing, then three Keelboat classes. After that I can do Coastal Navigation at some point. Each of the classes is two weekends long. How far off do you think I am from being able to handle a Catalina 25/250? I understand they are relatively small, and good beginners' boats. But then my question really is how much practice does it take to get up to that level? Of course it is different for everyone, but a rough idea would be nice. Should I practice in a dinghy for a year first? Two years? Two months? Thanks!

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 11:23:26

Radix,

You are already ahead of most in the preparations that you are making to become a proper sailor. If you know rules of the road, sail trim, steering and safety, my advice is that you are already set for fairweather sailing. But, if it makes you more comfortable, find a local experienced sailor - irrespective of the boat - and get some OJT.

It's Ok to push yourself on the water as long as you keep paramount the safety of yourself, your crew, and those around you.

Best of luck.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 11:35:47

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Radix
 ...Should I practice in a dinghy for a year first? Two years? Two months?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dinghy sailing is the best way to really develop an instinctive feel for the relationship between the wind, sails, rudder, and ballast (you)--sometimes by trial and error, where the error gets you wet! A 1900 lb. keel and 5500 lb. boat (less for a C-250) tend to mask a lot of that.

But with the classes you're taking, you don't need much of that. What dinghy sailing does not teach you is how to maneuver a 5000 lb. boat around a dock, how to avoid mishaps in a crowded marina, how and when to shorten sail for the best comfort and/or performance of your keelboat, how to find your marina in the dark, etc., etc. Don't pass up the opportunity to get out on a little boat--even a Laser or Sunfish--but after all of your training, you'll be ready (and anxious) for that C-25/250!

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 11:41:35

How far off do you think I am from being able to handle a Catalina 25/250? - Radix

Hi Radix,

Don't sell yourself short ... I'll bet you could do it already. Sailing isn't that hard, but it requires attention to detail. If you're careful to take "baby steps" in the beginning, you'll be able to apply what you've learned in your sailing classes, and things will fall into place quickly.

Always think way ahead of the boat, and be conservative ... it is better to err on the side of caution than to challenge your abilities, especially when you are new to sailing and/or to a particular boat.

When I was an Air Force instructor pilot, we used to encourage our students to "chair fly" ... the same technique works well for learning how to sail. Simply imagine yourself in different situations, and think through the steps you'd take to keep you, your crew, and the boat safe. This technique is used by all sorts of people (like professional athletes, for example) ... some people call it "visualization." It might sound juvenile, but try it ... it works!

Catalina makes great boats, and it's hard to beat the value of an old C-25. Be patient, and look for one that is in good structural shape (a marine survey is a good idea) ... give her a little TLC, and you'll end up with a cruiser that you and your family will love. You also have the advantage of being near Fleet 7 ... they are a great group, and they'll help you get started off on the right foot.

Welcome to the group, and good luck finding a nice boat!

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 12:13:05

Knee pads. I use them all the time. Saves my knees since I'm no spring chicken. I find myself on my knees or using my knees for bracing often on blustery SF Bay.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 12:59:33

Ya gotta see my Buddy Paul when he has his knee pads on, shorts, muscle shirt, bandana around his head.

Kinda of a cross between Barnacle Bill, Blackbeard and Big Bird!

Of course, I am just jealous cause he's trim and muscular and I'm slow and poochy!

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 13:17:28

Anytime you want a free sailing lesson on my C25 just give me a call. I'm in Mission Bay and sail every night after work. Just meet me at the dock at 5 PM. Send me an email using the private email feature of the forum (click on my name in the upper left of this post) and I'll respond with my number.

No obligation to buy a C25 after the lesson !!!!

I love giving lessons and taking people sailing.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 13:51:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How far off do you think I am from being able to handle a Catalina 25/250? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Just one cashiers check away!

Anyway, keep up with the classes -- they are fun and you'll learn a lot. And I highly recommend that you take Jim up on his offer -- after that, you're ready to go.

Edited by - RichardG on 07/13/2004 16:07:39

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 15:26:47

Big bird? Get off the net and get back to work.

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 16:29:11

How far off do you think I am from being able to handle a Catalina
25/250? - Radix

I jumped from a 12 foot sailing dingy to a C250 (not quite the same as a C25 - but close nuff). A bigger boat is more forgiving compared to a dingy. Yes there are more things to remember and handle but in the begining make and use a "before you sail" and "after you sail" list until it sinks in. The hardest thing I had to learn was DOCKING.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 19:48:51

Frank,

I jumped from one experience in a Sunfish to Hey Jude.

Yes, I made up a checklist based on the Catalina Owners Manual, six pages 8.5x11, laminated, plastic bound and used it with my crew for the first six months I had her. It was a big help.

Yes, Paul, I was bored!

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Radix
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 20:43:57

Jim, I would love to take you up on that offer. I'll shoot you an email when I think I can make it. Thanks!

Everyone if giving me great confidence...sounds like I might be in my own Catalina sooner than I expected. :)

One question I have...how do you work with a headsail? They don't appear to be on a boom as the main is, so to change between tacks do you have to run on deck, untie the line, run to the opposite side, and tie it back down? I know you can rig C25/250's for single-handed sailing, I just don't see how it would work. I know you can use a roller furler to remove/add sail area by wrapping the jib/genoa/etc. around it's spar...but that doesn't address switching sides.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 22:15:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Radix
 One question I have...how do you work with a headsail? They don't appear to be on a boom as the main is, so to change between tacks do you have to run on deck, untie the line, run to the opposite side, and tie it back down? I know you can rig C25/250's for single-handed sailing, I just don't see how it would work. I know you can use a roller furler to remove/add sail area by wrapping the jib/genoa/etc. around it's spar...but that doesn't address switching sides.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No running on deck! The jib/genoa is handled easily from the cockpit, where the winch on each coaming (raised area between the cockpit and the side deck) is used to tension it. There are two sheets--one is is wrapped a couple of times around the winch (always clockwise) on the leeward (away-from-the-wind) side, tensioning the jib. Then, when you pull it, the winch takes up much of the load from the sail. If that doesn't give you enough mechanical advantage, you can use a "winch handle" to help crank it tight. The other "lazy" sheet lies on the windward side, ready for action when you tack.

When tacking, you uncleat the leeward sheet (leaving it on the winch and keeping tension on it), put a couple of clockwise turns of the other sheet on the windward winch (on the opposite coaming), turn into the wind, release and unwind the sheet on what was the leeward winch, and start pulling it in on what is now the new leeward side as the wind pushes the sail across the foredeck--you do it all in the cockpit. You'll be doing this in your keelboat classes, where it will make more sense than I just did.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/13/2004 22:34:16

mmac
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 22:26:20

Radix,
Take Jim up on his offer and you soon learn the joys of sheeting in jib sheets. Then you'll understand headsails. Jim's a good instructor. After three sails, he had a guy out singlehanding a Catalina 30.

You don't have to own a C-25 to be a member. This is the best forum to learn about sailing and sailboats(just don't use the words "Hunter" or MacGregor").

My boat is next to Jim's (the ugly one to starboard). I'd be glad to give you some help also. I'm always happy to help a fellow Aztec.

Edited by - on

Radix
Deckhand

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4 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2004 : 23:07:44

Thanks again for all the info, guys. It actually makes sense to me now...at least I think it does. I guess I'll see when I get out there. :) This is a great community - it's half the reason I decided a Catalina was for me.

Oh yeah, Mike...I hate to admit it, but I'm *gasp* not an Aztec. I'm a Triton. :) I graduated from UCSD in '01 and start working there as a Network Engineer on Monday.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 12:39:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Radix
 ...I will be taking Advanced Sailing, then three Keelboat classes. After that I can do Coastal Navigation at some point. Each of the classes is two weekends long. How far off do you think I am from being able to handle a Catalina 25/250?...my question really is how much practice does it take to get up to that level? Of course it is different for everyone, but a rough idea would be nice. Should I practice in a dinghy for a year first? Two years? Two months? Thanks!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well, the amount and kind of instruction depends on the individual, but I enlisted a technique that was similar to what Buzz described, in that I dry sailed my first boat for many miles before it actually saw water.

Years ago, a sailboat fell into my lap, a 25 footer, but the only thing was that I had never set foot on a sailboat before. In the three months before my spring splash, I read everything I could on sailing and practiced, or "chair flew" as Buzz suggested, with my fully rigged boat in the safety of my backyard. When splash day arrived, I was fairly knowledgeable on the mechanics of sailing and was quite confident that I could get the boat moving under sail. I still set out with my written preflight checklist with items such as, 1. Lower keel, 2. Point into the wind, 3. Raise mainsail, 4.Kill engine,...etc. I wrote these shorthand instructions down so I would not miss any steps in the excitement of the moment and set out on a rather benign day with the help of my non-sailing brother. I got the boat moving on that day and the rest is history.

As with just about everything I do, I employ the Nike slogan and simply, "Just Do It!"

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2004 : 12:43:41

Make it soon, Radix, I am leaving on my 3 week vacation cruise to Catalina and Santa Barbara Island (55 miles offshore) July 30.

Every night EXCEPT tonight (7/14) is open (its my daughters birthday, and guess what, she did not choose to spend it sailing!)

Edited by - on

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