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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Advice sourght - next boat

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cathluk
Admiral

Member Avatar

USA
513 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2005 : 14:08:23

The time has come for us to look for a new boat. We love our Catalina 250, but Dan needs more headroom & we’d like something heavier that doesn’t get tossed around so much & bounce around every somebody on board moves.

There’s a lot of collective wisdom on this forum so I welcome your suggestions. We will use it to daysail, weekending, & week-long cruises (maybe 2 weeks).

So, here’s our criteria:

28’ – 32’ fiberglass with diesel engine & no more than 5’ draft (prefer under 4’). 6’+ headroom. It needs to have enough storage for those week-long cruises & berths for 2 big people. No need for refrigeration (a good icebox is fine), but we would like hot water. We prefer minimum maintenance with easy engine access, minimum exterior wood, & not so old as to need lots of old-age repairs (late ‘80s & newer). We like a roller furling headsail & like the fully battened mainsail we currently have. We’d like to keep it under $50,000 (at the most – under $40,000 would be even better).

We’ve been looking on Yachtworld & around the area so we have some ideas of our own. The only 28’ we’ve seen with the room we want is the Catalina 28. We love the Catalina 320, but that’s out of our budget. We don’t like the modern Hunters, but have seen some older models we like. We’ve seen a few S2s, but they all seem to have really bad gelcoat cracking around the windows.

Cathy
"Far Away"'88 Pearson 31
(DPO C250wk "Blown Away")

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 14:22:45

Cathluk,

I can only wish that you folks end up with(can afford) a Gemini 105 M. The only problem I've experienced with them is finding the money

Val on Calista # 3936

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

Members Avatar

672 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 16:37:15

You mentioned the perfect boat...C320. When I was looking for a replacement for my C25, the C320 was the smallest Catalina in which I could stand up straight and move around(I'm 6'1")...I ruled out the C310 not only due to head room, but they are all new enough as to be too expensive. Also ruled out Hunters/Beneteaus, etc. The 320 certainly meets and exceeds all your parameters, except cost. One could probably be had, a '94 (first year made) or '95, for the mid $50s. I know it's more than you want to spend, but it is truly a great boat, one that you can use and enjoy for years. Plus the 320 comes standard with many pieces of equipment that are options on other boats.
Here's how it compares to your requirements:
-27 hp Yanmar diesel.
-wing keel has 4'10" draft.
-6'+ headroom.
-storage everywhere.
-aft cabin has a queen sized berth.
-has Alder/Barbor 12v refrigeration, standard.
-AC hot water as well as engine heated hot water.
-entire Yanmar can be accessed by a front cover and rear cover. Can also access stuffing box very easily.
-There is no exterior wood.
-roller furling 135 genoa, standard.
-full battened main with Dutchman flaking, standard.

I did not want to spend that much either, but glad I did...or end up looking for another boat in a few years.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2005 : 21:11:14

How about a cat 30. It is an "old school" boat in terms of looks. A 1990 or newer has an open transom, newer deck and has a 3'6" wing option. A nice one will set you back 30-40K. They are really nice and would be the boat I would buy if moving up. Also, you will find that after about 15 Yrs old the values stabilize and it becomes a matter of condition. Whatever you do,stick with catalina. There is something to be said for the product support after the sale.

Tom.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2005 : 11:49:32

If there's any way you could swing it - mow lawns, rent out that spare bedroom, etc. - I'd go with the C320. (that's what I'm gonna do...!)

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2005 : 14:11:53

<font color="blue"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Well I'm moving up next year and have been looking around at used C&C and Catalinas from 32-36 foot.... range $65,000.

I have been on alot of boats this year and for some reason I keep going back to the Catalina 320. I'm 5'-7" not very tall and it seems every thing is in the right place and easy access.

The aft bed is easy to get in and out.
My feet fit the the stairway going up, do not hit the engine housing, and the stairs do not hit the back of my legs going down.
I can move around and never hit something that shouldn"t be there.

On the larger boats, I seemed to always find a few things that I would have to change or move. Even the new 2004 42 catalina/morgan egonomics were very

....

paulj C250WK #719</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="blue">

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

Members Avatar

672 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2005 : 17:21:44

If any of you get serious about the C320, feel free to send me a private email...be glad to answer any questions you might have.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2005 : 12:20:21

If you were my wife we'd have the 320. If dollars were a problem a late-model Catalina 30 would be a good alternate.

If you like to race occasionally, get the S2. Every boat has some spider cracks in the gelcoat, especially if they have been driven hard. It's the best of both worlds. Can't imagin why they quit making them.

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2005 : 18:26:03

Cathy,

I detect some Catalina snobbery on the forum

. I've chartered Hunters and Beneteaus on the Chesapeake and found both to sail well and be comfortable. Hunters are especially popular in your area -- mostly because they're a very comfortable cruiser and reasonably priced. When I used to sail with friends in Tolchester, a Hunter 28 used to win all the cruise races.

Bottom line is to find something well maintained, well equipped, and that you're comfortable sailing and cruising up those back creeks. I'd also suggest having a licensed inspector go over any boat you're seriously thinking of buying. It won't be cheap to do, but usually a good idea to find any "hidden" problems. Also make sure the boat wasn't recently brought in from some other area ..... such as where a hurricane recently occured! Insist on seeing past registrations.

Good luck .... and we'll miss you on the forum.

Max

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2005 : 10:14:05

The Catalina 28 is both large and small for its size. There is very little storage, the settees are "bent" so no sleeping there! The aft bed is hard to get in and out of. The V is ok

I like the Ericson 28+ under 30 and very large for it's size. The make a shoal keel.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2005 : 21:55:31

Thanks for all your opinions. Whatever we decide we will definitely get a survey done. We looked at an Ericson 30 this weekend & the v-berth & seats were so short that Dan wouldn't have anywhere to sleep! I also agree that the C28 has some storage problems - that's my one big problem with it. We have not ruled out Hunter, but I don't like the new rigs - maybe the right older Hunter.

We'll keep looking for the right boat. Worst case we'll save for a while longer & get that 320. Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket....

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2005 : 09:16:32

I am 6'4" tall. I belong to a sailing club in Seattle, and decided I wanted to charter a boat to stay aboard for a week. They have about 10 different models of boats to choose from over 25', up to 42'. I went and tried each boat. I found that the Catalina 28 was the only boat that had enough room in the rear berth for me to sleep comfortably, until I got as large as the Bavaria 37. (They don't have any Catalina boats at this club except the 28.) We spent the week on the 28, and I would not do it again. The access to the rear berth was really tight, and my wife eventually moved to the v-berth because she thought the rear was claustraphobia inducing. Getting into the v-berth would have been a *real* contortion for me, and we could not have slept there together anyway.

My only point in bringing all this up is that is amazes me how poor the accomodations are on older boat designs if you are over 6' tall.

You may find that you miss the space you had on your C250.

Edited by - kevinmac on 10/03/2005 09:17:11

Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2005 : 18:28:48

Why not add a couple of feet and look at the Catalina 34? More of them out there athan the 320 so a better range in prices. Good headroom (I'm 6'2) and two big berths. Only problem night be the draft- I think it's just shy of 6 feet.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2005 : 20:05:50

The 34s have a wing and fin keels. The wing is a little over 4' and the fin is nearly 6'.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2005 : 22:15:29

Kevin-

If it were up to me we'd keep the 250, but Dan wants to be able to stand up & so... I'm sure we'll miss the "lounging" space the 250 has.

I wish we could charter a C28 for a few days - there don't seem to be any in the Bay for charter. Lots of C30s, but no C28s. We've climbed all over the new C28MkII at the local dealer. I've been in the back berth & find it okay in the Mk II (I haven't been on board a Mk I yet). Dan likes the roomy-ness of the v-berth & we could actually both sleep up there. My big concern is lack of storage for the storm anchor, dingy, & other big stuff.

Again, thanks to all & keep those comments coming. We plan to spend a weeking climbing on boats up near Annapolis in a few weeks after the boat show trade-ins get listed.

Edited by - on

Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2005 : 12:39:27

Well I have many favorites and I constantly (when time and the Captian allow) look for the next boat. Here are two some of my curent favorites. I really think the C 30 is a great option for you too.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet&checked_boats=1448564&slim=quick&
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?currency=USD&units=Feet&checked_boats=1230865&slim=quick&
BTW I think both of these Tartans are Sparkman Stevens designs. Have fun looking I do.

Edited by - on

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