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Is a C25 the Right Boat for Me?

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2004 : 01:35:43

As usual lots of good advice here. I assume you got my reply to your email with specifics on Morro Bay, Port San Luis, and Santa Barbara. After reading more of what you have written here I would advise to take an ASA class first before you buy. My wife took one here at PSL. I took classes in SF area. They are offered in Santa Barbara too. My brother teaches them in Santa Cruz. You learn basic sailing but you also learn about boat systems, navigation, safety. And you have someone watching over you calmly talking you through difficult manervers. I think we spent more time in class anchoring and docking in various conditions than sailing. The training has served me well. I described my routeen (sp?)for launching in Morro Bay with an ebb tide. I learned the techniques in sailing school and just applied them to the situation. My boat is parked now until soccer season is over in December but I'd be happy to take you and your wife out with us in Morro Bay. New years day is a tradition!

Edited by - tmhansen on 09/17/2004 00:57:58

SteveG
1st Mate

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51 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2004 : 08:04:12

Walk to dock, put dinghy in water, row to boat, open cabin, throw boat bag (with water and crackers) in cabin, uncover and raise main sail, connect gas to motor (just in case), untie main sheet, release mooring, and away we go! Total trip time from door to underway... 10 minutes!

Unfortunately, I don't get to enjoy the comraderie of having a slip at the dock and visiting with my fellow sailors, but you can't have everything. I do have a Sunfish sailor, the owner of Jamestown Distributors, and a couple of stinkpot owners for condo neighbors, so I do get some feedback.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2004 : 09:47:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 ...Sailing is not cheap. We here on this board are all sailing very frugally because of our old inexpensive boats. If the costs of maintaining a Catalina 25 seem daunting to you now you will be very dissapointed after you get the boat and discover the other money you are spending to go sailing...Golf is much cheaper...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Funny thing is...I tell people I sail because I can't afford to golf!

Resident weekend rate for 18 holes at the local municipal course is $47.00 per person, which means my family of four would cost $188.00 for four hours of fun. Add in equipment, refreshments, and other ancillary costs and that single 4 hour golf outing would equal my monthly in water slip fees for unlimited sailing. If the family golfed just once a week, the costs would approach $1,000.00 per month and if I golfed as often as I sailed, the golf would probably cost me $5,000.00 (or more) per month.

This is why I tell people "I sail because I can't afford to golf!"

Edited by - dlucier on 09/01/2004 09:49:33

Eric Dove
1st Mate

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37 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2004 : 11:18:28

I'd just like to reply to the notion of rigging and readying the boat for sailing. Someone on here suggested it's a half day to rig the boat and get it ready to sail. I'm not really sure what their methods are, but if it takes half a day, they're doing something wrong. Maybe they're talking about doing it starting with everything completely detached or something...I don't know. I agree the C25 is a better boat for a slip if you're planning to sail frequently (like a couple times a week). You wouldn't want to rig and de-rig that often...you'd get sick of it. However, with only a little bit of practice and a good system, the whole thing can go up and be in the water, ready to go, in an hour. Same with packing her up for the trailer. The only rigging that has to be disconnected is the forestay and two forward shrouds...everything else just gets coiled and bungeed. The mainsail can even stay attached to the boom and in its cover...just stow the whole thing below. When you set up, just attach the gooseneck and slide in the sail slugs and the boom and main are ready to go.

I only do this process a couple times a year...start of season, end of season, and once or twice to take the boat up to Lake Erie. I've only had the boat for 3 seasons, so I've done the whole thing probably less than a dozen times. And like I said, it's only an hour with a couple people helping.

Eric Dove on Adelaide
'83 SK TR

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 01:40:09

I'd agree with Eric on the time to set up. About 1 hour up and 2 hour down (we have to rinse off the salt water etc). It is an effort though, even with an A frame. One we have decided is not worth it for a day sail. One discovery I'd like to share. We launch with the rig down and then tie off to a dock to step the mast. I feel much safer. The thought of my wife falling off the deck with the boat on the trailer scares me. Also we can arrive at night, launch in the dark, get a slip or anchor and then take our time in the morning steping the mast in the cool of the morning.

I'd love to keep my boat in a slip in Morro Bay. But round these parts its not going to happen anytime soon. I joke with my wife, maybe if I put my name on the list now I can get a slip in 25 years when I retire. Actually the list in Morro bay is about 7 years long I hear. Santa Barbara is so long they don't even keep track anymore.

Edited by - on

Sea Wolf
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 02:30:28

Thanks for the great info on launching and so forth in the area Todd. I replied last night. As things progress I'll stay in touch. I've been happy to determine that the boat I'd like will fit in my yard, but I may need to lay some more concrete to facillitate access.

Right now it's a waiting game. I've got about 10 places I'm checking daily for boats. At least now I understand the big factors like bottom condition and storage costs and arrangements.

The research has really come together over the last few weeks. The response here has been incredibly helpful. Now I just need to continue cruising the listings until the price is right. I'm hoping as labor day weekend passes some new boats will go on the market and I can find a steal.

Figuring out all this logistical stuff has been a major endeavor. I truly cannot wait to have a boat and a way to the water so I can concentrate on sailing.

Edited by - Sea Wolf on 09/03/2004 02:31:57

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2004 : 14:51:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I got "club doesn't need more crew but we could use your boat" in reply.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Boy, Steve, that's a fine howdy-do. Any other racing clubs in the area? In Olympia, the local club boats are always looking for crew for racing, but never for cruising. That's why I finally bought a boat. Got tired of racing.

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javadano
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 19:02:44

Hey Sea Wolf, I am not an authority by any means, as I too am a new sailer. But what I can tell you, is that it took me sixteen years to finally get my boat. I bought a 1980 Cat25. And I love it! I will tell you this much. I have looked at literally dozens, maybe even a hundred of boats over the years. I have seen boats with huge cockpits and small cabins, small cockpits and huge cabins, junked boats, etc. etc. and the Cat25 is a good all around boat. It has a great sized cockpit and great size cabin. The Cat25 is the best-boat-for-the-buck. My insurance salesman is a semi-professional sailboat racer, recently just finishing the Chicago to Mac race, says that in his opinion, you just can't go wrong with a Cat25. My cockpit will seat 4 comfortably, 6 cozily, and sleeps 6 comfortably, 7 if you are close friends. :-) Anyway, it all depends on what you are looking for in a boat. But the best part about my Cat25, I didn't have to spend a fortune to get a decent boat. Good luck in your decision.

dano

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 19:33:10

Hey Eric Dove,
Just a quick question. When I lowwer the mast, I remove the two forshrouds, as well as the forstay. I also loosen the center, upper shrouds. I do this out of habit from my old boat that needed them loosened. Do they need to be loosened on the cat or not? It would sped things up for me if I didn't have to do that. Just as a safty note rmeember to have some stainless steel wire to tie off the turnbuckles to keep them from coming undone.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 22:17:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MattL
 Hey Eric Dove,
Just a quick question. When I lowwer the mast, I remove the two forshrouds, as well as the forstay. I also loosen the center, upper shrouds. I do this out of habit from my old boat that needed them loosened. Do they need to be loosened on the cat or not? It would sped things up for me if I didn't have to do that. Just as a safty note rmeember to have some stainless steel wire to tie off the turnbuckles to keep them from coming undone.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes they must be loosed. The mast heel is flat, not rounded, your shrouds actually need to grow an inch or more to survive the mast lowering with out huge forces on the rigging.

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Dave Laux
Captain

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318 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 20:03:23

I open one main shroud turnbuckle about 1/2 to 3/4 inch and lower away. Having watched carefully that seems to be enough. Dave

Edited by - on

bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2004 : 01:34:54

Sea Wolf
I'm not an old hand but after about a year of sailing (just about every weekend) I decided that I needed my own boat. Since this would be my first boat, I shopped Latitude 38 looking for the right boat at the right price - mainly the latter (<$5k). I found a 84 C25/FK/SR that was in great shape and in my price range. I looked it over very carefully and said the hell wiht it and bought it. I had no idea how it would sail even. I have been *amazed* at how great it is. Stable in big winds and big waves and moves along very nicely. It is not a racing rig but it is no slow poke either. It is very comfortable and amazingly large and comfortable down below - especially for a 25' boat. Anything larger and you have an inboard ($$$) and a marine head and more complications. The biggest problem was it needed new bottom paint. $500 and a weekend and that was done. There a bunch of little things to do of course but nothing that doesn't keep me from sailing. The C25 is imho the best buy for the money (I looked at a LOT of boats). Go for it!!

Bill
"Wind Dancer"
#4096
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Joe Mama
1st Mate

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USA
25 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2004 : 01:36:38

Books are cool, but GO TO SCHOOL!!!
Harbor Sailboats here in San Diego is an excellent choice. My wife and I took their two-day a.s.a. basic keelboat course, and the knowledge we gained was irreplaceable. Have you ever seen Morro Bay when the surf 'closes out' the channel??? Are you mentally prepared for at-sea problems? e.g. tangled genoa sheets, etc. Don't be a fool, GO TO SCHOOOL!!!

Joe Lucero
'85 F/K S/R
"Dolphin Dreams"

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2004 : 08:34:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Eric Dove
 Someone on here suggested it's a half day to rig the boat and get it ready to sail. I'm not really sure what their methods are, but if it takes half a day, they're doing something wrong.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The first time I trailered up to the San Juans, in July '99, it took 7 hours to complete the whole rig-up and launch process (all done by myself with no helpers). This "process" included the following:
1. Unpack at least 800 pounds of boat gear from the back of the truck, including the dinghy and both outboard motors. (45 minutes)
2. Mount outboard on back of sailboat and connect gas line. Replace connector at engine, which was found to have a torn, leaking o-ring. (30 minutes)
3. Untie mast and furler. Mount Windex and VHF antenna at masthead. Slide mast back and pin it at tabernackle. Unpack and set up Gin pole mast-raising system. Raise mast. Adjust standing rigging. (2.5 hours).
4. Unpack boom and mainsail. Mount boom and mainsail on mast. Attach mainsheets and vang. Unpack headsail and run it up the furler, run jib sheets back to cockpit. (45 minutes)
5. Load approx. 300 pounds of assorted boat gear, food, clothes, etc from back of truck into boat. (45 minutes).
6. Set up fenders and docklines on boat, take down maxt raising system and stow it in the truck. (20 minutes)
7. Unpack and inflate dinghy, mount outboard, install gas tank, launch wheels, oars, and gear box in dinghy. (1.5 hours)
8. Launch boat, launch dinghy. Haul trailer to wash rack, wash down trailer, park truck and trailer, re-pack back of truck with whatever gear is not going on the boat like spare tires, etc. (1.5 hours).

So you see, trailering a Catalina 25 and setting it up, when you don't have anyone else around to help, can take litereally all day. The fastest I have ever been able to do it alone is 3.5 hours, or with my wife helping, 2 hours (a trip to Lake Tahoe in 2002), and that didn't involve setting up a dinghy, and all the food, clothes, and other cruise gear was pre-packed into the boat before we left home. The two hours also did not include mounting the headsail on the furler - we did that later in the day after the boat was launched and in a slip for the night. If I had to do rig-up every time I wanted to go sailing, I would not have a Catalina 25; these boats are too big and sit too high off the ground on the trailer to be worth having to rig up every time, at least at my age. Even my Catalina 22 that I used to have took a couple hours to rig and launch.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2004 : 22:30:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 If I had to do rig-up every time I wanted to go sailing, I would not have a Catalina 25; these boats are too big and sit too high off the ground on the trailer to be worth having to rig up every time, at least at my age.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I concur. But your mileage may vary.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2004 : 23:21:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">If I had to do rig-up every time I wanted to go sailing, I would not have a Catalina 25.....<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
If I had to do rig-up every time I wanted to go sailing, I'd pick a different pasttime. As it is, this is my checklist - I'm darn-near exhausted by the time I back the boat out of her slip!

Bow anchor removed from locker & placed on pulpit
GAS in tank!
Perko switch on
Electrical panel switches on
Sospenders life vest on
VHF radio on/volume up
Mainsheet line uncoiled from stern pulpit rod
Halyards uncoiled and ends placed in cockpit
Cushion or Sport-a-Seat in cockpit
Chart in cockpit
AirHorn in cockpit
Sail cover removed
Lifeline gates closed
Depth finder cover removed
Aft & center sail ties removed
Jib hanked on and sheets run
Outboard lowered & running before lines untied
Long bungee cord in cockpit for "poor man's auto-tiller"
Soda or water bottle in cockpit drink holder
Bow hatch open (if desired)
Once out of shallow marina: lower swing keel

Steve

Edited by - on

John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2004 : 17:35:25

Sea Wolf, I see you've had plenty of advice to start with a small boat, but I thought I'd toss my 2 cents worth. I just bought a c25 myself last year and had no sailing experience. perhaps I'd be a better sailor had I started with a small boat, but I really didn't want a small boat because I use it as much as a hideaway as I do sailing. I've had a great time learning and the people on the forum have been extremely helpful. This May I hadn't a clue what any of the lines were for, This August, we bareboated in the British Virgin Islands. I sail in an inland lake which I'm sure is different from where you are, so I can't comment on condititons, but my old boat has been a great way to start. Hope you're happy with your decision.

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2004 : 22:14:54

I'll just add that if you come down to San Diego and would like to compare the sailing characteristics of a fin versus a wing, we have the wing for you to sail on....and more sailing experience.
There are also are two C25s in Ventura that I can find (on our members list) and one in Santa Barbara, and I've yakked at another boat owner who sails his family in Morro Bay, too. So rides on boats can be arranged. Go sailing on a C25. But then you'll just want one even more

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 23:47:07

yes!

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