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Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 11:20:49

I took my boat out for the first time yesterday. The wind was light, but she sailed well. We watched the sun set, and it was magic. This is my first boat, and I can say there is nothing like sailing your own boat - it is a great feeling. I hope its like that everytime I take the boat out!

FYI: The 2005 Yamaha T9.9EXH2D is a great motor. It is so quiet, when idling you can barely tell its on. (Except the vibrating ladder latch, that is annoying!) My only gripe about the motor is its so wide you cant use the motor tiller to steer at all. I guess that's the case with most 9.9's though. I am considering cockpit controls so I can remove the tiller altogether. Is this a good idea?

Thats me on the boat

Edited by - Capt. Kurt on 12/16/2004 11:22:15

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 12:12:54

WOW ... she's a beauty!

Regarding removing the outboard tiller ... if I were in your shoes, I'd see what Arlyn has to say about that. Arlyn designed a "soft-link" modification to help with steering ... that might be a possible solution.

Also, I know that several 25/250 owners have installed cockpit controls for their outboards, but I don't know much about it ... I'm not sure whether or not the tiller has to come off to install cockpit controls. Personally, I would rather leave the tiller attached to the outboard so I would have at least some capability of steering with it ... you never know when your rudder might give up the ghost ... 'just a thought.

'Glad you had a great first sail ... I hope the rest of your sailing is just as fun!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 18:54:41

Capt Kurt,

The c250 enjoys the ability to steer with the motor, especially during a cross wind at slow boat speeds...in fact, most of us think its a necessity. If removing the tiller arm will buy the clearance needed for rotation, then thats the plan. If the tiller arm can be repositioned in some way so as not to lose the controls, that might also be a plan.

With the motor on the transom...controls are easy to reach compared to a stern mount and in my opinion controls are in the cockpit all ready making adding remote controls a near frivolous endeavor.

The soft link has worked for many... and is so easy and cheap to install that its worth a try to see if it does the job. The soft link however is conditioned by gaining motor rotation clearance. Full clearance is needed for a port turn as the rudder must be allowed to pull the motor with it as that is the non flexible direction of turn. If the motor however doesn't clear for a full starboard turn, its no big deal as the bungee effects the starboard turn and thus will not hang up the rudder. In fact, thats exactly the condition with the 2001 Honda and later which restricts starboard turn of the motor to 20-30 degrees depending if some casting is ground away.

[url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/softlink.html"]soft link[/url]

Edited by - on

frankr
Captain

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256 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 19:30:08

I've got remote controls (start/stop throtle and shift)on my 9.9 Tohatsu. I removed the motor tiller handle and keep it stored in the bilge under the aft berth area. With the tiller handle on I couldn't even tilt the motor up enought to keep it out of the water. I also have the E-Z steer linkage that connects the rudder to the motor so they both pivot together.

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 20:10:40

Thanks for the tip, I will definately try the soft linkage. That is so clever. I'll take some pictures next time I am at the boat and post them so you can see how it all fits. Its very similar to that Honda 8, only the tiller is more on the side and interferes with a port turn even when up.

One question about the soft linkage. It looks like the bungee on the starboard side will pull the tiller toward the ob if you take your hand off the tiller. Is another bungee needed on the port side to counteract the starboard bungee so everything stays neutral if you have to take your hand off the tiller?

Thanks again,
Kurt

Edited by - Capt. Kurt on 12/16/2004 20:18:41

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2004 : 23:15:28

Krut, here is a link to a thread that dicusses your problem as it relates to the Tohatsu. It may cure your problem also.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5949
Go to page two on the link and there are pictures that show how it works.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2004 : 13:48:08

Captain,
I like all the name suggestions too. I also thought "Warp speed" would be good, except it excludes the origins.
PS I have a Cat 25, but I tell you I LIKE the looks of your boat it is what we were looking for when we decided on a catalina.

Edited by - on

BJ Wagner
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 12/17/2004 : 16:44:46

Capt. Kurt,

As you can see from my signature, I also have a 250 wingkeel at Lake Pleasant. I keep mine in dry storage, as it is easier to take at just $84.00 per month. Curious to know how your tounge extension works out at the south ramp. I use a 40'piece of 3/4" line that I had made up, but have always wondered about a tounge extension with our ramp.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2004 : 00:18:06

Brad,
I'm a little curious. I have a fin keel and use a 20 to 30 foot tow strap for backing in. I thought the wing keels were supose to be able to launch without that kind of stuff. Could you launch with out it, but just like the idea of not getting the truck wet? I like having the truck about 10 feet from the water when I drop it.

Edited by - on

BJ Wagner
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2004 : 09:57:11

Since I have no tounge extention, the strap/rope launch is the only way for me to launch. I could have gotten by with less length on the strap, but I too like keeping my tires high and dry. If you take a look at Capt. Kurt's picture of his boat on the trailer, you will see how high the 250WK sits on the trailer.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2004 : 12:19:19

Capt Kurt,

Yes, you could balance the bungee cord by adding a section of bungee to the side with the line connecting to the rudder to provide a neutral load which would self center. I only connect the soft link when its needed for docking and the loading doesn't cause any disconcerting problems. I have the wheel however and a tiller might respond differently.

Edited by - on

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 12/18/2004 : 18:53:48

When launching Chick-a-pea (the few times I have had to) I found that the tongue extension was quite enough. The problem has been to keep the trailer from going off the end of the ramp to get enough water under her to float off. TAKE CARE to not go off the end of the ramp. Around here it can be a washout at the end from tidal currents. And even with a four wheel drive I doubt you could get it to get back on. At least I would not want to find out the hard way.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2004 : 17:37:30

I've gotta second "Come On Down!"

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2004 : 08:27:22

Brad,
At the south ramp, the rear tires were in about 2ft of water. Tom from the sailboat shop was telling me people have made up longer extensions. The extension that I have bends quite a bit from the load, I cant imagine how much longer it can get before becoming a problem. It is freaky watching your exhaust pipe bubbling in the lake, but they tell me its meant to take the abuse.

What is a strap launch?

Kurt

Edited by - Capt. Kurt on 12/20/2004 08:29:58

BJ Wagner
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2004 : 09:11:55

Capt. Kurt

My method for strap/cable/line launching is to position the trailer wheels up from the water line about 10 feet, chock trailer wheels, attach my 40' piece of 3/4" line to trailer via the safety chains and then to area where the safety chains go on the vehicle. Uncouple the trailer from the truck, pull the truck ahead until the line is almost tight, then lower the tounge of the trailer down onto an 8" rubber wheel that I have mounted on the tounge. Tension up the line, remove the chocks and lower the boat and trailer into the water. Normally this process takes about 20 minutes with two people. Normally, I have 25' lines rigged on my fore and aft cleats and as the boat is lower down the ramp into the water I walk it back, while standing on the dock and around the corner to the end tie. Of course you do have to wait for the lane right next to the dock to open up. The good part is my wheels never touch the water. I've thought about a tounge extension, but I had heard the normal 20' lengths are a little short on our ramps.

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2004 : 13:39:34

Hey Kurt!

Glad to hear you had a successful outing!

The key to the rope or strap launch is the swing down tire that Brad mentioned. This supports the trailer tongue when you disconnect it from the hitch and lets the trailer roll backwards down the ramp on the rope or strap. I was helping Tom launch a C270 this way one day before launching me.

There's a good writeup on this in the 250 Tech Tips under Fortuity -- Rope Launch. Fortuity is a wing keel that was at Lake Pleasant, but I haven't seen him for a while. There's a good set of pictures and a detailed description on launching that should help you visualize the whole thing.

Max

Edited by - on

Capt. Kurt
Navigator

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185 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2004 : 17:58:46

That rope launch looks like a great way to keep your truck dry. (I think I saw fortuity for sale at the sailboat shop a few weeks ago but its not there anymore.)

P.S. Just to close this thread we *finally* decided on a name for our boat, boy was that a difficult decision! Dispite all the great names suggested (thanks everyone), my wife an I could not agree on any of them. We ultimately decided to part from the "Price is Right" theme because we have found out alot of other boats out there have been on the show and share very similar histories. We decided on... "Tortuga", which means tortoise is spanish. (As in tortoise and the haire story, and of course Tortuga Island's pirate history)

At the end of the day, you have to pick a name that you both can live with! :P

Edited by - on

frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2004 : 08:13:31

At the end of the day, you have to pick a name that you both can live with! :P

As with life, a boat's name should have meaning. We have named our boat, Cruisin' Forever, which has meaning for each of us and we both can live with our choice. Congratulations on your choice and enjoy.

Edited by - on

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