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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

which keel

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schmeal
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/21/2004 : 14:51:43

Looks like you have a nice board going here. I am new to the cruiser sailing world and am planning on buying a c25 with a friend who lives in FL. We would like a boat we can occasionally take over to the bahamas, and would also like one we can trailer. I could use some suggestions on which keel to look for, I like the idea of the wing keels lower draft, but have been told that it doesn't point as well. I would appreciate any comments on pros and cons of each type of keel for c25. looking at early 80s models if that makes a differance

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2004 : 15:14:46

The real wings were late 80s, there are some retro fits from the early 80s. If I were sailing those waters I would want a wing too. 9-12k should get you a boat on a trailer. There are even some inboards out there. The sail numbers should be in the 5800s or higher I think. Welcome to the forum, enjoy.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2004 : 10:23:57

I routinely race my standard rig fin against my friends tall rig wing. The fin keel points SLIGHTLY higher - maybe a couple of degrees. It might mean a lot for a racer. For going to the Bahamas, it means nothing. The boats sail side by side in almost all conditions. In very light air the tall rig is much faster. In strong winds the standard rig fin out points the tall rig wing.

Fin keel draft = 4 feet. Wing keel draft = 2 feet 11 inches. Either is fine for Bahamas waters. Fin can be trailered but not as easily.

You may consider a swing keel. There is a lot of controversy on this on our forum, but Catalina does not recommend it for long term docking in a slip in salt water. That said, some of our members do, but they also do annual maintenance on the lifting winch and cable. If you are keeping your boat on a trailer, the swinger probably would work just fine for you.

Just be careful of your weather when crossing the Gulf Stream in ANY C25/250.

I'd look for a boat in good condition, with a good trailer, well equipped for cruising. Good solid 8 HP 4 stroke with extra long shaft (at least 25"). Bahamas has good winds so a standard rig is fine, if you get a tall, make sure you have 2 reef points in the main and an assortment of headsails including a 110.

Check out my web site to see all kinds of adventures we've been having on our C25 and even photos of my earlier 5000 mile trip from Milwaukee to the Bahamas in a power boat.

www.indiscipline.org

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2004 : 00:12:14

If your "home" marina is salt water, and if you are sure you will want to trailer the boat frequently (meaning at least once a year for a Catalina 25), the Wing Keel is the best all-around choice. The Swing Keel should not be kept full-time in a salt water marina unless you are willing to undertake inspection of the keel pivot hardware, winch, cable, and turning ball every 12-18 months. The Fin Keel has a small performance edge upwind, but ramp launching a fin keel requires running the trailer into the water on the end of a 30' to 50' heavy-duty chain, which adds some extra effort and setup time at the ramp. If the launch ramp is crowded, with a long line of people waiting to launch, the facility manager may ask you to wait at the back of the line until the crowd thins out. We have a Catalina 270 in our sailing clun, and the trailer under that boat requires a 50' chain extension at the Folsom Lake ramp. It can take more than an hour for the owner of that boat to complete the process of recovering the boat back onto the trailer - a long time to tie up a launch ramp, especially when yours is the lone sailboat, and there are 50 irate (and sometimes drunk-and-irate) powerboaters waiting in line and yelling at you to hurry the *&^%^% up.
The most sought-after Catalina 25's are the 1988-1990 Wing Keels (what I call the "Mark IV", from hull number 5803 to 6031. These boats have a "key" feature - the cabin floor is about 4" lower than on all earlier Catalina 25's, giving you a flatter floor that has fewer abrupt changes in level to sprain an ankle on, and 4" more headroom. Good luck shopping!

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2004 : 01:10:26

OK, I'll admit it takes a little more set up time to launch my fin. Not really a lot longer. it just involves dropping the trailer off of the truck driving out to the end of my line. I use two tow straps linked together; 20' and 30'. remove the chocks and back away. With this set up my truck is at least 10 feet away from the water line. If you have a slippery ramp this is a great +. Retrieving the boat is as easy as pie. In fact I think it is easier to retrive the cat 25 than it was to put my old santana 21 on its trailer.

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2004 : 18:29:30

Crossing the stream is a feat in any C 25 but I wouldn't try it with a swing keel. The fin is more robust and provides the best pointing and stability of the three keel options, but if I was going to trailer I'd opt for the wing.

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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.