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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

prospective buyer questions

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Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/06/2004 : 20:52:25

I'm thinking about buying a C250 non-water ballasted.
Does the factory offer a dodger or bimini? The brochure pictures show none.
Is a cockpit table available?
Can you order a new 250 with a fixed keel or is only the water-ballasted model available new?
Are 2 fixed-keel configurations available (fin and wing)?
What are the pros and cons of wheel vs. tiller? Are both available new?
What are the pros and cons of draining the sink into a thru-hull vs. the bilge?
What is the optimum sized 4-stroke outboard?
Does anyone race these things?

Thanks much to anyone who answers!
Robby

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 21:17:08

Hi Robby,

I have not heard that the factory offers a dodger or a bimini, there are however many who have added a bimini. Some of those are custom and I think there are some shelf products that work quite well. A dodger on a c250 is somewhat a compromise because there are of course no side decks forward. Some have used the bow for the all weather top and at least one has gotten very creative.

A cockpit table comes with the water ballast model but I don't think with the wing keel. If the wheel is chosen then of course the pedestal guard works well for mounting a table.

The 250 can be had in a wing keel or center board (water ballast) but no fin keel.

Pros and cons of the wheel at this site [url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/wheelornot.html"]wheel or not?[/url]

The sinks drain to thru hulls above the water line... the bilge in the 250 is considered a dry bilge for the most part.

I think the optimum motor is an 8hp

Yes they are raced, the 250 wing is a very good performer in lighter airs.

Edited by - on

arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 22:20:17

As usual, everything Arlyn says is correct. The one point I would add is my boat came standard with a white vinyl "dodger" that covers the main hatch only. I belive it has clear vinyl windows which can be zipped up over screens. I'm sure someone has used theirs more than me and will respond.

Bill

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Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2004 : 22:50:45

A couple more questions.
What does WK signify?
Is it possible to use an electric motor?
Robby

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reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 07:51:56

Re: the dodger, I suspect Bill is referring to the pop-top that fits over a metal frame and allows a bit of headroom in the galley area. When we bought our 250 WK (wing keel) we weren't sure how much we would use this item, but after one season it is much beloved. Anchored or slipped, the pop-top makes improves cabin ventilation and gives the 250 interior a much larger feel. You can't sail with it up, however.

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frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 08:05:09

WK - wing keel WB - water ballasted. I have an after market bimini on my 250 WK - great for keeping the sun from baking you. The WK can be had with either wheel (more $$$) or tiller. I like a tiller because it takes up less cockpit room and you get better feedback on the balance of the sails (better balance less tiller pressure). I don't think you would be disappointed in a 250 WK - good layout, good value, construction, good company and great support through this forum.

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Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 10:22:57

Thanks to you Catalina owners for putting up with my newby queries. I'm listening and learning. I'll probably have many more questions.
Robby

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wiffl1
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 12:55:24

As a prospective buyer myself, I thought I'd lump a few questions onto this thread.

I'm considering a 250 WK and would sail mainly in Long Island Sound.

My questions: Are there any members of the forum currently sailing in this vicinity? If so, how do you find your boat suited for the area and do you make any trips that take you out of the fairly protected waters of the Sound? If so, what sort of trips are you comfortable making in the 250 WK?

Thanks for any and all feedback you can offer!

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 13:30:29

I have a relatively new (launched April 2004) Wing Keel with a Honda 8HP 4 stroke that I have been very happy with. I sail pretty much every weekend, and have filled up the 3 1/2 gallon gas tank once this summer. I use the engine mostly to power in and out of the harbor, but I have used it to motor up the coast during calm winds. I figure I get about 2 hours per gallon.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 20:52:38

For all the new boat questions, contact a Catalina dealer and get a brochure and a price list. These things are like vehicles, lots standard and lots optional.

Also: www.catalinayachts.com

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2004 : 21:19:29

The C250 comes in both water ballast (WB) & wing keel (WK). The WK has much more headroom while the WB is easier to tow & ramp launch. There is no fin keel option.

The wing keel with an outboard is a completely dry boat. All the through hulls are above the waterline so you should never get any water in the bilge.

I would agree that an 8 HP outboard is a good size. We have an old Honda 7.5HP 4-stroke & it can power the boat at hull speed at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

As to tiller vs. wheel - it's really a matter of preference. My C250WK has a wheel which really opens up the cockpit. A tiller makes it a bit easier to "feel" the boat.

Hope this helps.

Edited by - on

Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2004 : 22:24:15

Thanks to all who've answered.
More questions: What are boat units?
Is a bimini a factory option?
Is a bimini better better for a C25 that a dodger?
Is a tall rig a factory option for a WK?
Thanks again.
Robby

Edited by - on

Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2004 : 00:04:22

Also, can you fly an asymmetrical spinnaker from a C25?
Robby

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2004 : 13:33:02

Robby, I'm not sure if you switched thought from a C25 from the C250 as they are two distinctively different boats. The C25 is a boat that will benefit with a dodger as it has side decks where the c250 doesn't.

Either one can enjoy an asymmetrical spinnaker.

C25 production ended in 1990... they were produced in a tall and standard rig and in three different keel config, fin, wing and swing.

Only a few C250s were produced in tall rigs before dropping it as an option. All were wing keels.

A boat unit is $100

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Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2004 : 17:48:18

Er, sorry Arlen, I meant C250. Is a bimini a better choice for a C250, because we have hot summers up here at Lake Coeur d'Alene. The dodger options don't look like the dodgers I'm used to on big charter boats.
Robby

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2004 : 17:59:18

I skippered Steve and Charlotte Dube's wb 250 in Nationals and was impressed with its light to no wind sailing ability. Their boat has a wheel and it was the first time I'd skippered a boat with a wheel, er rather the first time for any length of time. I liked the location of the ob because it was simple to handle from the wheel, and I didn't have to lean over the transome to adjust the ob.

If I were in the market for a 250 I would give serious consideration to a wheel. That comes from a 55 year love affair with tillers! The only trouible I had was when in near crisis and I inverible turned the wheel the wrong way!

Fortunately we never hit anyone

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2004 : 11:17:14

Robby...you would want to consider a bimini...not a dodger

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Robby
Deckhand

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14 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2004 : 12:05:33

Thanks, Arlyn. I'm starting to get the idea. Am I right in assuming that a 250WK generally sails better (and is roomier) than a 250WB and that generally keel boats sail better than their WB brethren (sistren)? Because WB boats DO have some significant advanteges otherwise. Thanks.
Robby

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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.