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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

new boat

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Silar_Phas
Deckhand

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Canada
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/14/2008 : 19:12:30

I will get my new boat around the first week of may 2008( just as I get my birthday! )and Im really happy about it!

Any hint on what to do and do not...? Lets say u have an other chance , a new start whit ur new boat , what would u change about that first ride , what would I have to check out ,to be sure not to damage it , or maybe just enjoy the most out of it...

Its a 2007 new catalina 250 wb , they made me a good price since its a demo ... I do think its a good purchase

And also I would like to know any design flaws the boat has that I can change or live whit ...

Last boat was a Rhode 22 that I sold 7 years ago.
So it has being a while but I was pretty good at handling sailboats.
I will sail in lake St-Francis in St-Lawrence river and around , that is in Quebec , Canada.

Sebas, quebec ,proud owner of 250wb 2007 hull #926 ...

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 19:28:07

Bienvenue et félicitations sur votre nouveau bateau !

The first thing to do is to read a lot. You'll find a lot of information on this site.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 19:43:41

Salut! Je suis de la ville de Quebec mais maintenant a Calgary. J'ai un C250 WB, 1999.

The only thing I do regret is the fact that the WB has less headroom. The WB is a good choice if you are going to trailer alot and just do daysails. If you have a dock and plan to do nightovers then a WK would be a better choice.

What would we change? Well maybe everything if you follow through these forums. Guys here are heavy on modifications. I don't think you need any modifications for your first days. After a while like most of us, you will want to do slight changes. Ideas that come to mind are:

- Bottom paint if you are to leave it in the water. Otherwise leave it bare.
- Bimini
- Cut down the large table
- Link motor with rudder if you are to manuver in tight spaces at low speeds
- 12V Bilge pump
- Solar panel
- GPS
- Autopilot
- Quick reefing mod using 2 blocks.
- Cockpit cushions.

Welcome to the forum! You've made a good choice, the C250 is a fine boat.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 02/14/2008 19:45:02

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 20:26:30

I think what Steve means is people here have made many additions and upgrades--they haven't had to change things much. With very few exceptions, Catalina gets it pretty right! Your boat will be a joy "right out of the box." If it's a demo, it should be really ready to go. But they do leave some things for you to pick out and add.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 21:48:37

As far as that first sail is concerned and assuming you bought a WB for the trailing advanatages:-

Go Slowwwwwww, even with experience, it hurts to bump something.

Don't trail it with the jib on the furler - it gets dirty!

Don't leave the fenders over the side when launching/retrieving, they can catch in the guide poles and bend them to scratch the boat.

Use a fender just aft of the mast when moving the mast from the bow support to the base plate, it acts like a shock absorber and prevents the mast foot touching the top of the cabin.

Get a pair of wheel chocks, tow strap and wellies in case you have a shallow launch ramp.

Get a GPS. Get a GPS. Get a GPS. Get a GPS. Get a GPS. Get a GPS. Get a GPS.

Get a VHF. Get a VHF. Get a VHF. Get a VHF. Get a VHF. Get a VHF. Get a VHF.

Fill the water tank before trailing, helps balance the boat on the hitch.

Inspect the boat, twice! Go over it as though you were polishing it!

Don't buy the standard cockpit side seat cushions, get the bendy WM seat cushions instead.

Tie down the wheel cover (if you have one) when trailing, it blows off (There is a freebie somewhere on the turnpike between black point marina and our house!)

Make sure the lights work during the boat inspection! All of them!

Carry spare split pins for the rigging! Especially for the back stay and shrouds. And a spare pin for the jib furler connection to the bow plate.

Enjoy every minute of the boat! We do, it's great!

Paul

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 22:03:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Fill the water tank before trailing, helps balance the boat on the hitch.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">The galley water tank or the ballast tank? (I'm guessing the former.)

Edited by - on

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 23:13:46

Here's some mistakes I made when my boat was new.

Buy more fenders than you think you need. I started with 3, now I have 6.
Buy bigger fenders than you think you need. I like 6"x24".

Get comfortable with your outboard and start it early.
Heading for the dock is no time to figure out it won't start.
After safely in the slip, disconnect the fuel line and let it run to use up the gas in the carb.

Remove the jib after every sail or buy a jib sock.
The UV will damage your sails when your not sailing.

The owner's manual says to wax every 6 months.
I believe it.

Russ

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 23:51:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">After safely in the slip, disconnect the fuel line and let it run to use up the gas in the carb.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmmm, in 8 years of sailing I have never done that. I only run the engine dry at the end of the season. Never have had a problem.

My advice is to go sailing. You'll decide what mods should be made and you'll find lots of helpful advice here.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 00:32:49

After re-reading myself I agree with Dave. I certainly did not pertain to the fact that EVERYTHING must be changed. Just that when reading this addicting forum sometimes you feel like there's a mod for everything!

Paul does mean the potable water tank. Not the water ballast. Trailering with the water ballast can actualy cause damage (see leaky WB tank).

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 11:00:03

Agree with Randy. Go sailing for a month, join the association and then read the Tech Tips on both the 25 and 250. After that you will be able to refine the mods you will want to make to improve your sailing experience. A lot of the mods I put on our boat were to improve the cruising experience, single handling capability and the General's ability to handle jobs easy for me, but difficult for her do to lack of hand and upper body strength. In other words have fun first and then worry about mods during the non-sailing season. Above all don't hesitate to ask questions about items that come up while you become familiar with your new boat.

Edited by - frog0911 on 02/15/2008 11:02:45

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 11:17:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Blackburn
 Paul does mean the potable water tank...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Potable to you, maybe...

Edited by - on

mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:17:29

Follow Randys posting on adding a 5th wheel to the trailer and use the strap launch mentioned. If I had done this last year I would have saved myself some anxious moments.
Mike

Edited by - on

Silar_Phas
Deckhand

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Canada
22 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:28:33

Wow I am impress whit the rapidity and quantity of response ...

I bought a wb because of the trailability ( if this word exist lol)
an mostly because I like the 1 foot 8 inch of draft , I did saw the less headroom inside but we will manage ( btw how much less then he wk ?). I already read ,almost all thread in forum , well, all of those who interested my curiosity , and thats a lot ...

btw the boat I bought come whit a genoa/roller-furler
vhf
tridata
safety package
trailer(of course)
and other things i dont remember ( since im writing this at work)

I also speak french so sometime u might have difficulty to read me ...

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:36:46

Geez, as if the Canadians weren't bad enough, now French Canadians!

Edited by - on

Silar_Phas
Deckhand

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Canada
22 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:52:24

lol

Nautiduck what else do u do beside writting in the forum ?

there is like 15 mins betwin those last 3 reply...

Now im really impress whit the fast response

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 14:22:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">After safely in the slip, disconnect the fuel line and let it run to use up the gas in the carb.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hmmm, in 8 years of sailing I have never done that. I only run the engine dry at the end of the season. Never have had a problem.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
After I return to my slip, I disconnect the fuel line and flush out the outboard until the motor stops.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 15:37:48

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Believe it or not there's even worse. A French Canadian WOMAN.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 18:30:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Geez, as if the Canadians weren't bad enough, now French Canadians! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Another Wannabe Canadian. Come on up Randy, I'll buy you a real beer.

Sebastien - there is lots of great advice here on practical things to do your first couple of times out. I'd suggest that if you are thinking of making any modifications to your boat, that you wait at least a year. There are lots of little things to add or replace - but your boat is a demo so it is unlikely that you would need to change or replace anything for quite a while.
I bought my boat 4 years ago and recieved this advice and am thankful for it.
Welcome to group, we look forward to hearing your adventures.

Edited by - on

crystal_blue
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 21:59:22

Not to hijack the thread, but is it possible to buy a new 250 with a hank-on jib? Or would I have to take the stock roller-furling jib to be refitted at a sail loft?

Thanks--

--Jim

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2008 : 12:45:52

furling is an option on a new 250. You can opt for Hank-on.

Not many of us Hank-on guys left.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2008 : 13:14:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Silar_Phas
 Wow I am impress whit the rapidity and quantity of response ...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That has something to do with winter... Things get a little quieter around here starting in May/June, except for the "Splash!!" threads.

Edited by - on

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