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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Capri 25 Specific Forum

First Race, second place

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/12/2006 : 21:06:49

I entered Swimmer in her first race on Casco Bay in the Centerboard Yacht Club race this past Saturday. Managed a second place finish. I am very proud of her. It would not have happened if it wasn't for Justin (Takokichi) who crewed and handled the helm like a pro and tutored this newbie.

We had some boats going up on rocks...ouch, no one hurt. Bizzare mark set ups. Rain, no wind at times and the CAT to Nova Scotia blowing past...frankly,there were times when I thought I was in Boston on the southeast distressway.

Quite a thrill and learning experience and vindication of the many hours spent on this fine boat that was basically discarded by previous owners.

She cruises, she races well and she turns my head every time I go out to her on her mooring, what more can you ask for?

Ok, so I'm a bit melodramatic, tough! Worse afflictions to be had.

Rick

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/12/2006 : 22:41:21

Rick, I am with you all the way here, I don't think that there is a better looking 25ft boat built anywhere. They are a blast to sail, and even a better boat to have a bunch of people for a day, or moonlight sail. I have not spent the night on the boat yet, but with all the room down below I can see where it could be uncomfortable, Storage is another issue. Best of luck racing her, these boats will teach you everything there is to know about sail shape and what lines to pull on.

Edited by - on

SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 11:14:46

I'll second that. I've only got 3 times on the water so far, 2x in races. I'm VERY impressed with this boat, esp compared to the CP26.

1st race was actually the first day I'd ever sailed the boat. Had 1 good racing crew with me, so that was a big help. We had no idea what fleet we started with, so were 2.5min late to the start line. Got blown a bit off course by a t-storm while we figured out how to handle the boat in a blow (let alone sail her...). Finished the race under main alone. Took an "unofficial" 3rd of 8 (since we weren't registered for the race) behind a J/22 and an F27. Only 1 boat behind us had a slower PHRF rating.

Sail #2 was a bungled attempt to work thru the sail inventory. Starting to think the best form of practice for racing is actually racing.

Sail #3/Race #2 we botch the start (pin favored, but we were late and hit the line on port - found a hole to slip in, but started near the bottom of the fleet). 4 crew: 1 virgin, 1 green, 1 J/80 racer and myself. Even given a few mistakes along the way, we managed a corrected 2nd of 7.

Looking fwd to Race #3 tomorrow night! Going after that J/22...

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 15:57:00

ou should have no problem with taking the J22, or a J24 in anything under 15knts. Really the only boat that I have seen really come up on the Capri 25 at our club is an S2 7.9. Downwind they lift the Keel / Board up. Upwind they will gain also, for a 2hr race we get about 4min.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 20:20:59

Yes, I saw an S2 Saturday and was very impressed, enough so that I started looking at listings of ones for sale.

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 20:59:51

A great race it was, too! Thank you for having me.

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 21:26:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 Yes, I saw an S2 Saturday and was very impressed, enough so that I started looking at listings of ones for sale.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The one I have crewed on will be going up for sale this fall. Really a nice boat, Trailer, Motor, all sails. Its in Great shape, and needs nothing at all. Owner wants to race a J22 or the Merit 25 they already own. Super Designed boat. I would buy one if I had the extra money.

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allencl
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2006 : 21:30:54

Congrats, Rick! Swimmer sure looks sweet and sounds like she's a great gal to sail. That Cat is one ugly boat though!

Hope to see you on the water sometime...

-Chris

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 04:29:01

Chris,

Have you launched yet?

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5891 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 11:11:55

Rick, congrats on such a good result the first time out!

I haven't been impressed with the performance of the S2 7.9, although they're nice boats, and S2 usually does nice fiberglass work. We had several of them at Brookville Lake, and most were well-equipped and sailed, but they could seldom beat well-sailed Catalina 25s. A partial reason might be that Brookville Lake was not very amenable to flying a spinnaker, and most of them, like me, didn't fly them. Nevertheless, my C25 could usually point and foot with them. One of them had a great laminated jib, and, in light air, he could keep it going after my dacron sail hung limp. They can't be all that good if they can't beat a C25.

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 11:23:20

Steve - I'm amazed! Without questioning your experiences, watching the S2 7.9 around here tells a different tale. He racks up points. There's a 9.1 in the fleet too - he's even faster, more so than the added lenght would suggest.

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2006 : 12:19:36

I will add that both of the S2 7.9's here at Windycrest are always in the top of the fleet. Personally owning a Capri 25 and crewing for the last two years on a S2 7.9 Grand Slam the boat has some advantages over the Capri 25. I will list them below.

S2 7.9 Grand Slam is a Racer/Cruiser - The boat is great in the light air and great in heavy air. The boats cockpit is about the same size as the Capri 25 and the Catalina 25. Two storage hatches under the cockpit seats with great storage space. Its just not a hole to throw stuff in, but has a locker liner. Main sail track splits the cockpit w/ 4 winches to cabin top and two on the rail.
everything is rigged to come back to the cockpit, and is an easy boat to sail in a breeze.

2. Interior differences are by far superior than the Capri 25. Down below there is a center storage compartment that is used for all of your gear, or the inboard motor. Aft seating is about 8'-0" long on both sides giving enough room to sleep. Forward to starboard is a porta potti or room for a head that can be curtained off for privacy. Center is the Centerboard shaft, and to Port is the sink and built in Ice box. Forward birth is huge and has enough room for two to sleep in. Oh and I can almost stand up in the cabin.

3. Centerboard Keel - This is the best feature of the boat, Its a big roomy boat that when you are ready to beach it you raise the centerboard and draft about a foot of water. I cant do this with my Capri 25. The boat rest on the trailer like a motor boat, and the rig is easy to take down and travel. There are all kinds of regatta's over the US that have a S2 7.9 OD Class start.

4. Like stated above the boats are built to last, the glass work on these boats are first class. I have seen one t-boned and the side of the hull was about 2" thick glass.

I really like this boat and how it does sail. Its a fast boat, controllable, and allot of fun to be on. These are only my thoughts on the boat. I have raced Merits, J22's, J24's, Capri 25's and the S2 7.9, the 7.9 is by far my choice for all around creature comforts.

Us Sailing Yardstick
S2 7.9 IB/OB S2-7.9 81.0
Capri 25 (Catalina) CAP25 84.3
Catalina 25 (FK/SK,TMast) CAT25H 90.1
Catalina 25 (FK/SK/WK) CAT25 93.9
Catalina 25 (WK,T.Mast) CAT25LH 95.1
Catalina 250 CAT250 95.5

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Freddie Narvaez
Deckhand

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13 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2006 : 21:54:41

I don't want to get going to much on the S2 yachts since this is a Capri 25 forum, but I have to add, as a former owner of an S2 9.1 that these boats are the best cruiser/racer of this size. PHRF from 132-138 tells the story, yet you could sleep 7 people. Well built, solid(during the time S2 could not make power boats due to a legal issue so they decided to make some sailboats. Too bad they stop making sailboats...), designed for the great lakes. But now I own a Capri 25, I can trailer it, and don't need 7 people to crew a buoy race.

Freddie Narvaez
"LIQUID ICE" Hull #172
Waukegan IL

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2006 : 22:01:31

We raced for the first time on Saturday.
The Admiral and I were out early to get a feel for the wind conditions, it was very windy, we had the main double reefed and our 90 Jib hanked on. We thought it was going to be too windy to sail and were expecting the first race of the season to be cancelled.
At the race meeting there was a member of the local sailing club who didn't have his boat in the water - he was looking for a boat to crew on - so we invited him aboard.
It became apparent right away that he knows more about sailing than then we do.
Out came the reefs and up went the genoa. Long story short - we came in second. With our guest at the helm less than half the time.
He was very impressed with the C25 - he's always admired Catalinas but it was his first time at the helm of one. He was truly impressed with the pointing ability and general handling of the boat.
We zoomed ahead on the learning curve.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5891 Posts

Response Posted - 06/19/2006 : 10:09:15

I believe the C25 is underrated (especially the tall rig), because it is most likely to be sailed and raced by cruisers and casual racers who don't equip it or prep the bottom very well, and that a good racer can easily sail it better than it's rating predicts, especially if the C25 has been race-prepped and has good racing sails. It's much harder to sail the S2 7.9 above it's rating.

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