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Catalina 25 for the Great Lakes??

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Feog
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2004 : 16:36:50

Hi all, I am new to this forum and a reasonably new sailor. We are looking for our first boat to sail on Lake Ontario and we are considering a Catalina 25. I really like the boat, the layout, space, this website and forum etc. I would like to hear comments from owners on the Great Lakes who use them for cruising and if they feel the are appropriate and seaworthy for the Great Lakes. Will I feel comfortable sailing a Catalina 25 in most conditions on Lake Ontario?

Thanks in advance

Edited by - on

austin72
1st Mate

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48 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 17:54:03

Hi Feog,
Let me first qualify myself as an intermediate sailor. I know the basics of sailing and seamanship but but over half the folks on this forum could likely sail circles around me. But here's my $.02:

1. I have had my C25 on Lake Michigan for the year now and consider it a great boat for the Great Lakes. I sail out of Chicago so there's typically a lot of traffic and I thank my stars on breezy days that my boat is not larger when I come in to moor. It can be a circus in the harbor, and a bigger, less manurverable boat would make me a danger! So, from that perspective, it's a great boat if you're also in a busy area.

2. That said, I think the C25 is perfect for the Lake 70% of the time. I definitely have had days where I spend the 1 hour driving/parking/catching the tender to go sailing and the conditions are just too severe for a C25 to navigate safely. You do have to use common sense a bit as I'm sure you've seen 6-8 footers rolling around Ontario with a stiff wind. While I think she could handle these conditions if I were caught in them, I wouldn't put my boat, crew or myself out there intentionally. Those are good days to drink beer, admire the scenery and do some housework.

3. I've seen it posted here many times that the # of times you actually get out on your boat is inversely related to the number of feet your boat is long. I can tell you that's a true statement from what I've observed.

With that in mind, C25's are great little boats with a big boat feel. Decide how much cruising vs. daysailing you plan on doing. You mention you're pretty new to sailing, and I think a C25 could be in your future, as it's EASY to sail. But, you may also want to consider starting out with a C22 if you're looking to daysail. A mooring neighbor by me has one, and I'm sure he was a novice at the beginning of the season...One of the surrounding boats near me bore the brunt of that on what looked like his 1st ever attempt to moor a boat.

Nowadays, he gets out frequently and has become a pretty accomplished sailor over the course of the summer. C22's can handle quite a bit of 15 knot winds and seas, they're plentiful and cheap, and you can buy and sell it for ~the same price.

Either way, good luck!

Edited by - austin72 on 09/26/2004 17:55:22

roberoo
Navigator

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USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2004 : 20:50:52

Hi Geof,

I sail out of Buffalo, NY in Lake Erie. I agree with everything that Austin said. I am a year and a half into sailing my Cat 25. It is a very forgiving boat. Handles well and is quick for what it is. It is relatively inexpensive to maintain. Mty wife and I feel 100% safe at all times while we have been out. We actually sailed the boat from Huron OH to Buffalo last summer when we purchased her. I have sailed quite a bit this summer. Almost in any wind I have gone out sailing. For comfort in a boat of equal size this is the best. My 2 peso's.

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bobmac
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 12:06:08

Catalina 25 FK in Kingston - no problems taking on Lake Ontario, except when the wind is really up, at which time I remain in safe harbour. But with the right sail config (d-reefed main, and <90 jib) you can keep it under control. The Cat25 has a fairly high freeboard, so its relatively dry, even through 5-6ft waves. And its built like a tank, so the hull can take it.

However, rough weather will seek and magnify any weaknesses you may have in your rigging, sails, hardware, or your and/or your crews' sailing ability, so before you take on mother-nature, make sure all of these are up for the challenge. Mechanical failure is a real distraction when you're trying to concentrate on sailing.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 14:15:28

Geog,

I've sailed my C25T the last 15 years on Lake Superior and have not been caught in any conditions that I didn't feel I couldn't handle. That includes winds to 30 mph and waves to five feet. My boat however, has a main with two reefs, and I carry a 60% working jib which, when combined, allow me to sail in winds in the upper 20's fairly comfortabley - even single handed. The C25 is an excellent stable boat, but like all boats, has its limitations. Experience and the right equipment will allow you to cruise as far and long as you want on the Great Lakes. I completed a nine day, 360 mile cruise this past summer. My goal is to sail as much of the Great Lakes as I can in my C25 before I have to quit sailing all together.

Regarding your purchase, while I would normally agree with the idea of starting small - C22, to gain experience, I also believe that most people can afford a sail boat once in only a great while. Get the one you want right away, find a place to moor/dock that's not real crowded, and practice. I started on my C25 with only a few years experience on small (11-16 foot daysailers). I did a lot of reading about boat handling and applied that knowledge, with planning and forethought, to make maneuvering my C25 as safe and painless as possible. I've never had an accident. Get the C25, you won't regret it.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2004 : 21:55:41

My C25 Nin Bimash II is my 8th sailboat. I have sailed her on lake Erie, lake Huron, The North Channel and Lake Superior. The C25 is a fine sailboat for the great lakes. Lake ontario is a deep lake so the swells you will encounter should be long frequency. You also have the option of taking the trent severn waterway into georgian bay and on to the North Channel (one of the worlds most beautiful cruising grounds) As you may have figured I am not new to sailing. I am also an experienced builder/restorer. The C25 is a well built coastal cruiser. the Hull layup on older models is up to 3/4" she's a good solid boat. I would go ahead and buy after you have had a thorough professional survey.

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Feog
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2004 : 08:54:53

Thanks for all of the replies and information. The consensus is that a C25 is fine for Lake Ontario in most conditions.

Edited by - on

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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.