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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Preparation for boat pickup.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/19/2005 : 08:56:08

We're building a list of things to take with us when we pick up our new C250WB.
Do you have anything (little things even) to add to our list.

(The plan is to drive up to cocoa beach FL, inspect, pay, and then take the boat to a launch ramp, take it for a sail (perhaps overnite on the river.), put it back on the trailer and bring it home. (we'll start off right by posting a float plan :)
We have the 'safety' package (life jackets, flares etc.)

The boat is a C250WB
Has Pedestal wheel steering, compass, wind, depth, speed (ST40) on the Pedestal.
Pedestal guard installed.
Tohatsu 9.8hp outboard (25" shaft)
Got all the cushions (cabin and cockpit - tender butts)
Includes Canvas package (Main, Pedestal, winch covers)
Standard Bimini (this is florida - need the shade!)

The list..

Camera - take lots of pics at the dealership.
Fuel Can - Watching the pennies (ha!)
Foul weather gear (this is florida)
Handheld VHF (two)
Binoculars (I'm going to post a seperate question about these)
Handheld compass
Groceries.

Odd bits I have picked up from the forum so far....

Check off list.
Small sponge (to plug the top of the keel cable tube.
Tie-Wraps (to restrain the shroud T-Bolts during mast raising)
Safety wire (to restain the shrouds at the spreader ends)

We so want to be ready for this (we ordered the boat on March 5th. 2005)

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 09:47:48

Paul, I assume, based on your statement that you purchase your boat from Jerry Butz at Boaters Exchange in Rockledge. Jerry will show you how to raise the mast and all the tricks associated with it and launch/retrival from the trailer. I would take lots of pictures of the tricks of the trade he shows you. The basics you can find in the manual and additional tricks you can find on this forum.
If you have not, I would purchase the engine flush attachment, a extra fuel line to engine attachment and a the six gallon gas can from West Marine to repalce the three gallon that comes with the engine. The model that fits in the fuel locker is the Tempo Valu 6, model # 304487, page 331 of the WM catalog.
Good sailing and welcome to the Catalina family.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 10:16:57

You should pick up a single chart of the area before you launch the boat. Your dealer will probably have one. Then you should look over the chart and get a clear idea in your mind of the location of any shallow water in the area where you'll be sailing, and stay clear of it. The first time I chartered a small cruising sailboat, I had charts, but got excited and didn't pay enough attention to them, and ran aground a couple of miles from the charterer's marina. Florida waters are not uniformly deep. Also, if you're not familiar with the area, when you get a little distance from the shore, the coastline all looks alike, and you might need a chart to help you find your way back to the launch ramp.

One of the most helpful navigational instruments you can get is a hand bearing compass. (I assume that's what you mean by a handheld compass.) It will help you take a bearing on objects ashore, such as water tanks and radio towers, and you can mark the bearing on your chart and find your position. You can do the same thing with your ship's compass, but the hand bearing compass makes it easier and less confusing for the novice.

Everyone should have a good, non-staining sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat with a long bill or wide brim, and a string or other device to tie it on with. The hat will keep the sun off of your face and rain and your hair out of your eyes. Likewise, everyone should have a long sleeved shirt and long pants (preferably white, to reflect the sun), in case it gets cool, or you get too much sun. If someone gets too much sun, get them off the boat. The Florida sun can give you a serious burn quickly.

Everyone should wear boat shoes and white socks. (No flip flops and no bare feet. Flip flops will trip you, and bare feet get stubbed or broken toes, splinters on wooden docks, and sunburned.)

Since you're planning to stay on the boat overnight, I assume you have ground tackle. Don't skimp on it. Get a good anchor of adequate size and add chain. It's miserable to spend the night on the boat with the anchor dragging while a storm blows through.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 05/19/2005 10:21:33

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 11:30:07

#1 on the list....Check the engine oil!
#2 Get an early or late start on the days at the ramp. It can take a couple of hours the get things setup when they are new and new to you. That much more enjoyable at 6am or after 4pm.
#3 Have the spuce videotape the whole assembly and teardown.
#4 Bring as much rope as possible. A minimum of 4 long dock lines and fenders.

If I was splashing for an overnighter, I would only rig one sail. The majority of the your first couple of trips should be spent "mastering" the engine, docking routine. For me that was the hardest part. My boat has the scars to prove it! Only approach the dock as fast as your are willing to hit it!

Enjoy.

Tom.

Edited by - on

ceryes
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 14:00:42

Maybe a tie down strap to secure the boat to the trailer and wheel chocks just in case you remove the trailer from the tow vehicle.
Paul

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 14:22:26

Paul,
If I was in unknown territory I would opt for a GPS as an essential piece of gear. Nothing straightens out confusion like a big black arrow pointing the way home.

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 20:11:59

Awesome Guys! Keep em coming!
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I assume, based on your statement that you purchase your boat from Jerry Butz at Boaters Exchange in Rockledge. Jerry will show you how to raise the mast and all the tricks associated with it and launch/retrival from the trailer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You are correct! Jerry Butz has been really helpful to date.
We met him at the Strickly sail show in Miami in February.

Edited by - britinusa on 05/19/2005 20:13:41

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 20:23:49

Oh yeah, one other suggestion. Get a notebook of some sort and take 15 minutes to write a couple of paragraphs at the end of each day, describing where you went, where you ate, what interesting or amusing things happened, etc. It'll make good reading a few years from now.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 23:32:53

Paul, someone mentioned a video camera to take a video of the process. This would be my record keeping mode of choice from the time the boat arrived at the ramp until and including launch/retrival. You can still take still pictures, but the video will be the thing you go back to over and over.
Tell Jerry hello from Jerry in Orange Park and that he missed another Mug Race which was more of a float than race.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 07:55:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Tell Jerry hello from Jerry in Orange Park and that he missed another Mug Race which was more of a float than race.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would guess that Jerry lurks around on the forum. When we took the test sail in his boat back in march, he showed us several mods he had implemented. I have found them all here on the forum. He installed the Waterpump in the fuel locker, and moved the batteries up to the front. Peggy has already told me that the water pump is the first thing I have to install... the honey do list has started and the boat is not even launched yet

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:27:25

A few years ago I contemplated offering some comments about installing a blaster pump in the fuel locker but thinking it was an isolated installation, I held back as boats are often like family and a comment can sometime come across as personally intrusive.

And, my comments don't come from any assurance of knowledge, but more as inquiry about the possibilities.

Placing a blaster pump in the fuel locker might be safe (I don't know) but at the minimum, lets ask some questions. Is doing so an approved installation by a professional? Could one hire a marina to make such an installation with the marina being liable for consequences?

The fuel locker is a relatively small compartment. While it is vented, is it possible that after a cool night and the gas within the tank has constricted, the sun comes out hot and heats things up and the locker temperature increasing the gas expands in the tank and pushes vapors into the locker at a time when the pump is used which has the potential to provide a spark.

History is full of disasters as a result of often unforseen circumstances. Sometimes however, a disaster is the result of concerns known but ignored. It is well known in the marine environment that fumes and sparks don't mix safely in a confined space.

Is the use of a blaster pump in the fuel locker safe? Is this space confined enough to be a problem?

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frog0911
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1349 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 09:57:53

Paul, I agree with Arlyn, in no way would I put anything electrical near a fuel tank if it wasn't an absolute necessity. If you do get the six gallon Tempo tank for fuel there will not be room to install it in there anyway. I installed mine in the same place as Arlyn an find it to be a prefect location with no lose of prime storage space.
I am not going to move the orginial battery, but am going to install two golf cart batteries in the v-berth forward of the two 12 gallon water tanks. The General wanted the extra 12 gallons for showers. So pump plus extra water equals presure shower. With the two tanks there is barely enough room for the batteries, but they will fit. The extra tank also adds 106 lbs. to the bow to pull the nose down. With the golf cart batteries I should be close to the additional 200 lbs. needed to bring the boat close to level. All I have to do now is figure a way to heat the water without using battery power. There are all kinds of solar showers, but they don't go through the pump for prerssure. There in lies the problem. Well, requests help keep the mine active.

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welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 12:41:40

The best mod I did to date was the Soft Link between motor and rudder. It is very helpful for docking when the motor turns in same direction you intend to go. Pay close attention to the wind when docking. The large freeboard on C250 is not very forgiving at slow speeds. I found this out the hard way and have a couple marks on the hull to remind me of this fact.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 14:02:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The fuel locker is a relatively small compartment<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'm pretty sure the hose and nozzel were in the fuel locker, but where the actual pump was located I'm not that certain. I'll try and get a review when we go up to pickup the boat.
Every mention that I have seen of the installation of a blaster system in this forum has been very positive regarding the usefulness of the mod. I'll search the forum to see if I can find that mod. Anyone got a link to it?

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frog0911
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Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 23:24:54

Paul, just go to Arlyn's thread answer and in his signature block is a link to his web site that has all the info you will need.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/21/2005 : 08:40:20

Thanks Jerry.
I should have known it (the blaster pump mod) would be on Arlyns site. I have reviewed his entire site over the past few months. Have read most of the cruising stories, it is a great reference.

For anyone needing the link it's here
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/blaster.html<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

BTW, whenever I read an article that covers a cruise in detail, I go to maptech and pull up a chart in a new window so that I can follow the track as I read through the article. Helps visualize the experience.

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