Association Forum - Updating my (new) 1996 250 wb

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Updating my (new) 1996 250 wb

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

paulb
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
29 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/27/2004 : 13:35:32

What a great forum!
I just recently purchased a 1996 250 wb which is the boat I have been wanting for years. However the boat is very stock and I will need to make a lot of the updates and modifications others have made.

I do not have a dealer anywhere near me. The closest dealer is about hours away. And a lot of the updates would not be available.

I would like to know the contact phone # and person or department for parts and advise from the factory.

Some of the mods I want to make prior to sailing season are:

1. Replace the cable on the swing keel with the new fiber one. Can this be done off the water?

2. Add a battery, switch, and fuse panel.

3. install a furler (CDI)

4. Replace the head sail with a 135 genoa.

5. Add genoa tracks outboard and coaming winches.

5. Run the lines aft for single handling.

6. Update the aft pulpit to those nifty seat type.

7. Replace the rudder with a kick-up type.

8. Add a 12 gallon permanent water tank under the v-berth

9. Add a bimini.

10. What model 6 gallon fuel tank will fit the fuel locker? Where can these be found?

I did most of these above modifications on my 89 wb Macgregor and it was a lot of work and expense but well worth it.

Thanks for any help which is provided. This is a great forum!

D. Paul Barney

'96 WB250 "Pau Hana"

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2004 : 13:59:35

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the group!

I have a C-25, so I can't help with the specifics of your upgrades list, but I have a couple of suggestions that might help.

First, search the Forum archives to see what you can find on some of your projects. Frankly, the search function and I don't always get along

, but I've gotten better search results by using a key word and searching by "subject only." Since you have a C-250, you will likely get better results if you search in the "Catalina 250 Forum" rather than the general or C-25 forums ... however, there is a TON of good stuff in those two forums, too.

Second, you will get better responses if you limit your topic to one project. For example, you could start a thread just about replacing the centerboard cable, another about upgrading the electrical system, and so forth.

Finally, check the "Tech Tips" section of our National Association website ... there are some GREAT ideas in there, many with step-by-step instructions and photos ... here is a link: [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech.html"]Tech Tips[/url]

BTW, you can also access the C-250 owner's manual and sales brochures ... 'lots of info there, too ... here is a link: [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/manbro/manbro.html"]Manuals & Brochures[/url]

'Hope that helps ... we've got some great people on this site ... 'glad you've joined the group!

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2004 : 15:11:05

That's quite the list, stay away from dealers, unless money is no object.

1=Swing keel cable, call Kent Nelson @ Catalina yachts, 818-884-7700

2=See 8

3=There is a thread on that very project...search.

4=Are your shrouds on the cabin top? Or on the hull to deck joint?

5=There is a thread on coaming winches....search.

6=$$$

7=Beg Catalina to sell you one, they'll resist and they will not warrantee it, thell them that's OK........ or make one.

8=Figure out what you need in the West Marine Catalog, then buy elsewhere cheaper.

9=See 8.(Also, checkout Sailrite.com)

10=The ol' standard metal 6g can fit in my 2002, don't know about the '96. Trial and error.

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - Oscar on 11/27/2004 15:11:49

paulb
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 00:27:12

I knew you folks would come through! Thanks for the information and leads. Here is what I have so far:

Thanks for the Catalina contact.

1. I will be calling them on Monday.

2. I always use W.M. as a refrence, then go elsewhere if I can find it. Such as the marine section of Wal-Mart (the store we all hate,but shop there anyway), Costco, Kragens, ect. I shop on SailNet also even though their prices are not much better than W.M.

3. I have ordered a FF-2 from SailNet. This is the second one I have ordered and installed from them. I checked the forum on installing a furler and did not find a lot. I think almost all of the 250's came with furlers as standard. Is this correct?

4. They are located on the hull to deck joint. I am figuring on having to install a genoa track and cars outboard of the shrouds. Is that why you are asking shroud chain plate location?

5. Could not find the thread on adding coaming winches, will keep looking.

6. Talked to a dealer at the Oakland Sail Expo, he said that the stern seats were not too expensive or difficult to retro fit. We shall see.

7. Ida Sailor has just recently started making a kick-up rudder for the 250. I have bought a couple of rudders from them for other boats with great success and excellent customer service. They are also $200.00 cheaper than Catalina. I will order one ASAP.

8. Ordered a 12 gallon RV water tank with fittings from JC Whitney for $52.00.

9. Will check around and look on the forum for success stories on bimini installation. Of course I don't suppose anyone will write about failures.

10. I found the thread on the 6gal. fuel tank that fits. Got the # and ordered it from W.M. as it appears that is the only source I could find. $21.00.

Thanks again for the information. I will be watching the forum just in case I can help someone else with a mod or problem I have encountered.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 10:00:24

Yes, most 250's came with a furler. The reason I ask about chain plate location is located higher up.....the spreaders. With the outboard shrouds you cannot sheet in a 135 without running into the spreaders.....wing keels and later (#620 or so and up) WB's have their shrouds on the cabin top, further in. I guess it had to do with transferring the load to the hull, which could not be done with the tank in the way....I don't know how they solved that later......Anyway, 116 is the largest you can do, so the 110 is it....there, saved you a lot of time and money.....Now what some people, including myself did was order the Ullman (Ventura) drifter designed for this boat. It does very well, including to windward, in light winds......including all hardware around 7.5 bu's.

Here's a thread that pretty much highlights how most people do the coaming winch thing:

http://catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=2804&SearchTerms=winch

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - Oscar on 11/28/2004 10:04:03

sailgal
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 18:17:23

Hmmm, just checked out the Ida Sailor site, although I don't feel I need the kick up rudder yet, it is great to know I can get one without having to do any mods! Thanks for sharing the info!
FF2???

CDI? Hope it is big enough, call CDI direct (978-371-5508)and ask them, I think the FF2 is small for a 250. When you get your FF4 which is what came with my 250, get the ball bearing upgrade. Worth it)
I changed my cable out of the water....much easier when dry. I upgraded to a plastic 6 gallon fuel tank, could only find it at a West Marine. Fits ( snug but fits )in my 2002 wb boat. (there is a thread on that with photos). Good luck!

Edited by - sailgal on 11/28/2004 18:18:14

At Ease
Admiral

Members Avatar

672 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2004 : 19:38:52

As far as catalog shopping is concerned...check out Defender. They are usually quite a bit cheaper than the rest.

www.defender.com

They'll send you a free catalog.

Edited by - on

bill bosworth
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2004 : 10:21:06

Hi Paul;
There is a lot to be said for simplicity, the systems on the 250 are quite simple, work well and are easy to maintain. We find that the stock winches work very well and are easy to use in their deck top location. If you or your crew, tack with even a little care, you seldom have to crank the winch. I wouldn't jump into changing out the head sail for a 135. The stock 110 works very well for most conditions, the length and placement of the tracks also works very well. As mentioned above, the addition of a drifter is money well spent. We use our boat nearly every day, and are still on the origional centerboard cable. I do keep a spare, just in case.
We added a bimini last summer following the advice of Keith D. the thread is http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6289&SearchTerms=bimini,top. If this doesn't come up, search on bimini top on the 250 specific site. The author is Keith D.
I followed all of his advice and the top came out great.
I wish you great sailing, and if you enjoy your new boat only half as much as we do you have made a great choice.
Bill c250wb #134 Serendipity

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2004 : 12:47:00

Hello Paul, Welcome to the C250 family. I agree with Bill Bosworth's post. I have never had to use the winch handle on my C250 W.B. As far as the centerboard cable mine is still one of the original designs. I don't use the centerboard much during the season here in N.Y. I just lower it down and pull it back up about two feet and leave it. When the boat comes out in the fall I do crawl under the trailer and inspect it. This boat was sailed about three days a week this year. It was my first sailboat, having never sailed anything in the past. This forum was super in advice and incorporation of user friendly mod's. Good Luck "Bear" C250 WB #089.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2004 : 13:53:32

Hey Paul,

A few of the issues you ask about are dealt with in some fashion here...

[url="http://stewartfam.net/arlyn/"]c250 personal site[/url]

Best of luck with your upgrades and welcome to the group.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2004 : 18:04:38

Welcome to the forum Paul!

BTW is the McG a fish reef now?

Edited by - on

paulb
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2004 : 02:41:43

Hi all:

Some of the past forum topics you have directed me to have helped immensely.

I was able to contact the factory and have purchased and recieved a canvas pop top cover w/o installation directions??

They sent at no cost a keel cable upgrade with good instructions. If "Sailgal" reads this I would sure like detailed information on how you changed your keel cable while the boat was on the trailer.

They said they would get back to me about adding stern seats after I provided them measurements on my existing railing although they have not done so yet.

The mod I was pointed to on adding a second battery is great and I will use it in modifiying my boat with some additions.

I bought and received the new 6 gallon fuel tank although I forgot to order the Honda tank fittings so have not installed yet.

I didn't mention it before, but I am also doing some mods to the trailer before it is suitable (in my opinion) for long distance hauling. I am adding a spare carrier, new chains, PVC boat guides,
rope guide hookups, and new bearings. I ran into some headaches loading the boat in San Diego Harbor boat ramp, not to mention almost getting clobbered by a new 26M Mack which the owner had almost no control over while launching next to me.

I am also updating the LPG stove to an external tank, and will be adding a fresh water tank under the v-berth.

I have not received my furler from Sail-net yet although I have tried to modify my order on the advice of "Sailgal", and have not been able to contact them.

And to answer Ben - FL, no, I am not getting rid of my "Mac" Classic for a long time, It took me several years to modify it to "work" for me and I really like the boat. I have wanted a 250 since they were first introduced and was unable to find one in the condition and price range I could afford until now. I know I will really like the boat after I "retro-fit" it to my needs.

Thanks again to everybody and I will stay in contact and will be available to help other "newbies" whenever I can contribute.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2004 : 09:26:45

Hi Paul, I changed my cable out of water, but my 250 was hanging in a sling.....I keep my boat in a wet slip year round. since the board was in the down position it was a snap. I really can't help you with the trailer installation. When seated on a trailer is the board tucked up into the boat all the way? If so I dont know how you could attach the new cable to the board. If there was some room feed the cable down from inside and add a weight to the end of line where it would attach to board. When you put the boat in water then dive under grab the hanging weighted cable and simply attach.
I don't feel without a dive tank you could work under water and feed the cable up. (I purchased a dive regulator, 40 foot air hose and tank, for a future emergency since my local boat yard closed)
Good luck!

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.