Association Forum - C250 Water Ballast and Wing Keel Headroom Comparis

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

C250 Water Ballast and Wing Keel Headroom Comparis

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DavidCrosby
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USA
229 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/28/2013 : 12:28:40

I have had these photos kicking around for awhile and finally figured I should get around to posting. They are also now in the C250 gallery.

Before buying my C250WK I searched for an opportunity to do a real comparison between the WK and WB interiors. We found that opportunity four hours away. From the photos, you will be able to tell that it was really cold too.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2013 : 12:39:01

Thanks David,
When we purchased our WB, I was sorely tempted to change the order from a WB to a WK.

Expecting that most of our sailing would be in South Florida, specifically Biscayne Bay & the Keys, the shallow draft was the deciding factor.

The extra headroom of the WK was particularly noticeable.

Paul

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2269 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2013 : 21:00:43

This confirms my recollection that the difference in headroom is more like 10-12". I didn't want to speak up on the other thread because I wasn't sure memory was accurate. The difference is very large IMO, but some people really need to benefits of the water ballast.

I only went into one water ballast boat, and it felt like there was barely headroom when sitting. Partially standing up was out of the question. Since I sail in a deep river, we focused our search on the WK model. If the fin keel was readily available, we could have easily gone with that since our water is so deep.

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This picture confirms why the C250 was designed without side decks. On the WB model, the cabin settees would be uninhabitable without the headroom provided by bumping out the cabin sides. Side decks would have probably been possible with the WK model, but the C250 was designed primarily as a water ballast boat - I think the fixed keel models were an afterthought.

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/28/2013 21:02:09

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 06/28/2013 : 21:12:04

quote:
This picture confirms why the C250 was designed without side decks. On the WB model, the cabin settees would be uninhabitable without the headroom provided by bumping out the cabin sides. Side decks would have probably been possible with the WK model, but the C250 was designed primarily as a water ballast boat - I think the fixed keel models were an afterthought.

This is one of the things I like least about our boats. I hate making the step down from the cabin top to the cockpit. I've got bad knees (doc wants to replace them), so I'm not very agile, and I always feel out of control making that step down, even holding onto the hand rails. I've been thinking about running jacklines that are tight enough for me to be able to pull up on as I make the step down to help steady myself. If the wind is piped up it makes it particularly scary making that step down. Going up is no big deal, maybe I should try backing down instead of going forward?

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bear
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Response Posted - 06/29/2013 : 04:36:35

Dave, I have the same knee issues. What I do is add two old boat cushions on the settee cushion which cuts about half the distance and affords a soft platform for stepping down.

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Arlyn Stewart
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Response Posted - 06/29/2013 : 05:15:59

The elimination of the side decks might or might not have been done for interior space considerations. Righting stability may have been the prime driver.

Though they are ugly, the midship stanchion is very functional in aiding moving to and from the coach roof.

Without question for me, the greatest aid to dealing with being on the coach roof is to loose foot the main as the boom then becomes a hand rail. Plus... the main likes it better as well.

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TakeFive
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Response Posted - 06/29/2013 : 07:50:54

The reason for eliminating the side decks was never fully apparent to me, but David Crosby's picture really made it SO OBVIOUS that is was so necessary for the water ballast concept to work.

So far the large step up to the cockpit roof hasn't bothered me, but I can see that it might someday. Have any of you thought of glassing in a box step at the base of the cabin bulkhead?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2013 : 08:13:32

I've had that exact thought, problem is, i don't know how, and i don't want it to look like someone was learning how to glass for the first time. Also it needs to be bullet proof.

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CJRoxs
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114 Posts

Response Posted - 06/30/2013 : 23:35:01

I just step on the coaming and then up. Works great. Same with on the way down.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2013 : 07:19:00

I guess my 5" recollection related to the height between the aft berth and the cockpit sole, as shown. 11" is like a different boat!

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sreidvt
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16 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2014 : 04:11:57

I realize this is an old thread but thank you very much, David, for posting these pictures. We sail primarily in a small lake, with only one shallow-ish public boat ramp, so a WB would make launching much easier. We're on a mooring, though, so once the boat is in it is in for the season. I have a 20' Mirage now (swing keel) and I already have to strap launch that. But I'm going to figure out a way to launch a 250 WK (very long strap and some other creative maneuvering maybe) because the headroom in that boat is wonderful. I looked at one for sale recently and the interior, compared to other boats I've been in that were less than 25 ft, is like a small studio apartment. I have a tall trunk but can actually get in and out of both double berths in the boat without any strange contortions. And, thankfully, the pop top covers a large area so there's plenty of standing room. Overall, I was amazed by the interior in the 250 WK.

Since we're on a mooring (in about 10 feet of water), I figure a day hassling with launching is a good trade for three months of headroom in the boat. But it was seeing your pictures (during a search a few weeks ago) that really cinched my decision. Thanks.

Edited by - sreidvt on 10/05/2014 04:12:41

sdpinaz
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193 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2014 : 06:16:52

Welcome to the forum Sreidvt,
This is an amazing resource for info and if you do end up getting a Catalina it will be invaluable. A great bunch of people with tons of cumulative knowledge. Good luck on your search for the right boat for you, and welcome again.
Cheers,
Scott

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sreidvt
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16 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2014 : 12:06:55

Thanks very much Scott.

quote:
Originally posted by sdpinaz

Welcome to the forum Sreidvt,
This is an amazing resource for info and if you do end up getting a Catalina it will be invaluable. A great bunch of people with tons of cumulative knowledge. Good luck on your search for the right boat for you, and welcome again.
Cheers,
Scott

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DavidCrosby
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229 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2014 : 16:54:10

Sreidvt,

Launching the C250WK is not difficult. My C250WK lives on its trailer at a sailing club on Carlyle Lake, IL. The mast is up, sails are on and basically ready to go. I ramp launch anytime I want to use my boat which is pretty much every weekend six months out of the year. I can be either in the water and ready to sail or out and put away for the week in about 25 minutes.

My trailer came with a "stock" 10 foot tongue extension. It was not quite long enough. I had an additional 3 feet welded on the end and it works like a charm. You do need to have a deep enough and long enough ramp.

I wish you the best with your boat choice.

David

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sreidvt
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2014 : 14:56:16

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply. I figured I better just start a thread on this (so as to not hijack this one) so I'll continue here http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28721.

Cheers,

Sean

Edited by - sreidvt on 10/07/2014 16:18:45

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