Association Forum - Ever owned both C30 and C250 WK?

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Ever owned both C30 and C250 WK?

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Richard F.
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/23/2004 : 20:43:43

I'm still in active search mode for a boat for Lake Travis. I'd spent most of last year looking for a Catalina 30 for the SF Bay, but now with the move to Austin the criteria have changed dramatically. I like the size of the C30... but I'm in the $20K-$25K in terms of affordability which means a 1980-84'ish boat. I also like the features and fun of the C250 WK. Have any of you active listees owned both? My primary mode will be day sailing with 1-4 friends, hopefully an overnight on a hook once a month with a few of the kids... absolutely not interested in lots of boat maintenance and fiddling, which is why I'm leary of the C30's in my price range. (I'm saving the fiddling and maintenance for the 40 footer that I'll shove off to Mexico in.)

And, I wish I could figure out how to search the archives... am I the only person experiencing operator error on this? Most recent frustration: I remember reading that people were adding 300lbs of sand to the WK. Really? Does it improve pointing? Hobby horse effects in chop? Better balance when loaded with crew? I realize the bootstripe looks funny... but do the sailing characteristics increase with the sand? Sounds interesting...

Also, has anybody ever tried a cabin top traveler for the 250? I realize the pop top... won't. But I remember sailing a newish Gib'sea that had a cabin top block arrangement (not a traveler). Also sailed a C22 (maybe a C25) years back where the guy had rigged a removable cabin top traveler so that the pot top... would. Anybody tried this? That cockpit mounted traveler is pretty anti-social...

I realize I am not contributing on this forum... only benefitting from your hospitality and patience. Hopefully at some point I'll be able to give something back...

Thanks!

-Richard

Edited by - Richard F. on 12/23/2004 20:44:15

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2004 : 21:02:02

We have a 1 yr old WK 250 on a trailer here in Wichita
316-773-3534

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2004 : 21:04:31

I've owned a 30 and a 250 WB.....you can take four dudes in an Escort or a Taurus. Same with the kids....All depends on how much space people need, how nimble they are, how much consideration they give to weight distribution, how much stuff they bring. If in good shape, an inboard is as much work as an outboard. An extra gallon of paint won't kill you, and if you bring the dudes, waxing the hull is a day and a 12pack whether it's 25 or 30 feet. A 30 foot slip is more than a 25 foot slip, a 60 foot (up and down) halyard is more than an 80 footer and on and on......an 84 boat that's not maintained is work, so is a 25 footer. You get what you pay for. I think Garhauer makes a removable traveler.

I like room to breathe, I'm willing to do the extra work....

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

Edited by - Oscar on 12/23/2004 21:08:04

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 12/24/2004 : 14:12:33

If the choice is big or small, chose big. If you chose small, in a year or so, you'll be looking to move up. Had a C25, moved up to a C320. As previously mentioned, I'll pay a little extra and do the extra work...it's worth it to me.

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reuben
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2004 : 16:44:58

Never sailed on a C30 but can attest to the roominess (for relaxed cruising & daysailing) of the 250 wing. Our family of four (two teenage sons) has gone up to five days aboard without loss of humor. Of course the 30 looks lovely & big but I've surely enjoyed the new-boat ease of the 2000 WK. Also she's fast in light airs! Good luck with your decision and search --

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2004 : 21:35:04

Hi Richard... I probably can't tell you anything about the C-250 or C-30 you don't already know, although I've been on both (but never on a Texas lake). If you're having "timeout" errors with the Search feature, try a couple of things: (1) limit your search to just one forum (e.g. C-250 for your sand question), (2) try limiting it to just the subject instead of the subject and text--many threads have descriptive headers, some don't--and (3) don't select the "archives" option the first time through.

Here's one of the threads you're looking for: http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5250&SearchTerms=sand

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/27/2004 18:44:33

bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2004 : 17:24:20

Richard,

Former (?) association member Steve Steakley is your man: ssteakley@satx.rr.com . He had a 250WK for several years, just sold it and bought a C-30. . . AND he keeps it at Lake Travis in Austin. Great guy; I'm sure he wouldn't mind answering your questions.

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fredflemming
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2004 : 13:06:09

Richard,

Based on your sailing criteria (mostly day sailing with the occasiona weekend anchored out) I would urge you not to succumb to 2 footitis (or 5 footitis in your case). The longer, older boat will cost you significantly more to operate and maintain, especially when your time is included. Would you rather spend any given available hours working on your boat or sailing your boat? The C250 is an excellent example of the KISS system.

The C250 is ideal for your type of sailing. It's very similar to what we do on the Chesapeake Bay and the boat can handle 4 adults overnight very well. Its newer cabin design is very roomy feeling compared to 20 year old designs. The cockpit has plenty of room for 4 adults to spread out. The only advantage I can think of for an older 30 footer is standing headroom in the cabin. The C250 doesn't have it so if you must have it, that is a deal-breaker.

With regard to your question about the mainsheet attachment in front of the companionway, I originally thought that might be a problem too. However, my experience is that it is not much of a problem at all, underway or at anchor. There is no problem going in or out of the cabin. I will say that you must warn people about the sheet slapping them in a jibe. A preventer setup is a good idea to avoid this.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2004 : 16:06:48

I've got to disagree with Fred...the only way you can overnight four adults in a C25/250 is if they are VERY good friends. Don't give up your search for a C30...sounds like that's what you really want. You can limit your search by any number of criteria, such as year, price, location, etc. There are lots out there, check here:

www.sailnet.com/boatsearch

www.yachtworld.com

www.catalinaowners.com

www.boatus.com

www.ablboats.com

www.boats.com

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2005 : 23:22:14

Richard,
Bren is right, I am a good person to discuss the pro's/cons of the C250 and the C30. However my email is ssteakley@austin.rr.com I owned and raced a 99 C250 for 3 years at Canyon Lake and I spent most of those weekends overnight on the boat. I Recently 5/84 purchased an 86 C30 that had lots of great NEW features but still needed lots of care to get it up to my level of performance. Both are excellant boats, but by your description it sounds like a 250 will be the right boat! Send me an email if you are interested and you are welcolme to come out to Commanders Point and check out my C30 as well as the 250's that are slipped in the Marina. I am sure you can find a 250 or a C30 for sale on Travis..there are lots of them,
Steve Steakley

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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.