Association Forum - used 95 250 ballast

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

used 95 250 ballast

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

MrPills
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
5 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/08/2005 : 05:41:55

I have a chance to buy a bristol 1995 Catalina 250 ballast, 12V only, with the trailer, slip, all original manuals, no outside cushions, 9.9 Mariner that runs fine, wheel steering, no dings, dents, or scrapes, beautiful inside and out, nice sheets. I am a rookie as a sailor, though I have crewed on a 38 ft modified to 40 ft 1969 Pearson in the Gulf off Naples and Marco and as crew won in class and placed 2nd in 3 regattas in the past 3 years (Won 2, placed 1). This will be my starter as a skipper. It is a fresh water boat and is hauled out in the fall for storage. they are asking $14K for slip thru April 1,06, boat and trailer. I think it is a no brainer. Any help would be appreciated very much. I think I have already bought it. Thanks again, Tim

Buying 1st sailboat,'95 Catalina 250 ballast. Need help and info. My first sailboat.

Edited by - on

JohnMD
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 11:26:28

I went thru this (also with a 95WB) not too long ago.

Check (actually touch and work) the:
stove
all the lights
vhf radio
am/fm radio
porta potti or head
battery
depth/speed sounder
battery charger
look for evidence of water in the rear of the boat, around the battery and under rear cushions
look for evidence of water in the setees and in the bow under the vberth
look for broken wires in the shrouds/stays

if you plan on trailering, check the tires/trailer brakes/lights

Check to see if the stainless steel keel cable has been replaced. If not, you should contact Catalina and get the free Vectra line replacement before the cable snaps. (they were very nice about it)

I didn't have all these problems, but, I had enough of them. Some of them, like bad trailer brakes or tires, can add a lot to the cost of a boat. Water inside the boat, as in our case, doesn't mean the boat leaks. The water tank under the sink was leaking. I don't mean to scare you, once we got everything to our liking, we just love the boat. You will too!!!!

Edited by - on

tbader
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 13:43:22

14k with the trailer and slip sounds like a good deal. I just bought a 2000 WK last fall. One recommendation that I would make is to have a survey done.
A survey may sound like a bit of a hassle, but:
1. A survey will ensure that your (inexperienced) impression is confirmed which will make you comfortable with your investment, and...
2. The survey will tell you exactly what you need to do to address any problems. You do not want to discover any issues when you are out on the water. That approach is inconvenient and dangerous (maybe that should be the other way around).

The survey will not delay the sale (or sail) significantly, and any reasonable seller shouldn't hesitate to permit this as part of the deal. Generally you would agree on a price with the understanding that the deal is pending the survey. You might want to make it clear to the seller that you are only looking for major problems; you don't intend to use the survey as a way to re-open price negotiation. Any 10 y.o. boat is going to need some attention; the issue is avoiding something major that is not obvious to your untrained eye.

If you are interested, the Society for Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) can be reached at 1-800-344-9077 (I still have it in my Palm Pilot from last fall). They will give you the names and numbers of accredited surveyors in your area. Then you can call them up and find some one who is (1) familiar with sail boats and (2) available.

Good luck. In my six weeks of sailing my boat I have found that the 250 is a GREAT boat.

Edited by - tbader on 07/08/2005 13:56:18

bear
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 14:08:25

I have had my 95 WB for four years now. Although I have had no problems that I didn't bring on myself, I would have a good look at ten year old sails, is there a second reef point installed on the main sail? The condition of the bottom, what series rudder is installed and which keel cable is installed. Any defects noted are worth a price reduction. As noted a survey is probably worth money invested. C250 WB #089 sailing on the Great Sacandaga Lake in upstate N.Y.

Edited by - on

JJM
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 16:11:29

I recently took a rigging maintenance class from a local rigger and he said that standing rigging really needs to be carefully inspected annually after about 7-10 years for possible replacement needs.

Also you mention that the boat has wheel steering. I would want a surveyor to make sure there is no corrosion in the steering mechanism either. That 7-10 year timeframe applies to steering as well.

A survey to include your rigging and steering would be a prudent thing to do with a 10 year old boat.

If everything checks out - this is an awesome boat and the support through this association is stellar!!!

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.