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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Catalina 26 question

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/17/2009 : 01:10:48

Did our 250's replace the Capri 26? Why were only 300 26's produced from 1990 to 1997

Frank Farmer
Long Beach, CA
aa.diver@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/aa.diver

PRETTY PENNY
'01 C-250 WK, Hull #558

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5881 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 06:27:35

When the Capri 26 first appeared on the scene, a Catalina dealer told me that it was originally intended to fill the niche occupied, until that time, by the C25. Having raced against a couple of Capri 26's I can say that, while they were nice boats in many respects, and sailed reasonably well, the C25 performed better. People who are spending a lot of money to buy a new boat expect it to perform better than an older boat. Moreover, the trend to downsize cars and tow vehicles began about that time, and the Capri 26 wasn't designed with that in mind. The Catalina 250, especially the WB, was lighter in weight, and it performed well compared to the C25. Also, because it carried the name "Capri," people expected the Capri 26 to be more like a Capri 25 than a Catalina 25, but it was more of a cruiser than a racer, and disappointed it's customer base. Standing alone, the Capri 26 is a nice boat that performs well, but by comparison with other Catalina products, it fell short of expectations.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/17/2009 08:38:22

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 08:59:53

9'10" beam.

During the '90s, people were looking either bigger boats (30'+) or lighter, trailerable, less expensive starter boats--8'6" beam and not too much over 4,000 lbs. While nice, the Capri 26 wasn't close to being in either category. Hunter and McGregor were dominating the latter category with their W/Bs so, to recapture hearts and minds of new family sailors (brand loyalty is significant in sailboats), Catalina jumped back in with the 250.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 10:48:52

For me, three pluses to the 26:
standing headroom, dinette table area converts into a BIG double bed, and the aft transom walk-thru steps down to a swim step. But the chances of finding one for sale since only 300 were produced is akin to finding teeth in a hen. It does have an association and I've queried their officers about locating one. If we can't get a 26, we'll look for a late model 27, but ONLY if it has a tiller helm. Gotta have that standing headroom

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1757 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 14:13:46

Interesting, which begs the question when I flip through Mainsheet there is a asection for a Catalina 26. Is the "Capri 26" AKA the "Catalina 26" and if not, what led the brief production run of the Catalina 26?

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 14:23:28

Frank, whats the approx price of the 26 vs a say a 27? Would that have the things you are looking for? Might be easier to find a Catalina 27. In fact I have seen some on www.Craigslist.org.
Steve A

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Kendall
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 14:41:21

Ive sailed on a C26 and while a little bit bigger, the C25 is superior. I wish they put more of the room in the cockpit, because in both boats I feel if you have more than two people, then your just climbing over each other. The 250 has a nice big cockpit for its size.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 14:46:08

Frank, I just don't think you're gonna be happy until you bite the bullet and buy that C30. I wouldn't give up my C250 for less boat (IMHO) just so I could stand up in it.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 15:53:43

One of our club's members went to CA to buy a Capri 26, nice boat and I occasionally race with him. I think there is one currently for sale on sailingtexas' website, has an inboard diesel and wing keel. wider beam and 1k lbs heavier than a C-25.

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/17/2009 16:01:44

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2009 : 16:36:04

We almost bought a C26. They are sweet boats and would make for a terrific cruiser. They are wide and heavy for towing, though. Since you don't tow, a C26 would make a fine boat.

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AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2009 : 23:38:32

Well, so much for a C-26. Went aboard one for sale with a manual o/b motor; extremely awkward to operate from the cockpit, it's way down on the port transom. And headroom? Not for this 5'10" sailor. So bye bye 26, hello a 27 with inboard diesel and tiller helm, late '80's. She's out there somewhere.

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SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 09:14:34

I had a CP26 for about 10yrs before I went to my CP25. A <b>*great*</b> cruiser with lots of room and very well appointed. I had the WK with IB diesel and it was extremely reliable and solid. Actually lived aboard for a couple of summers here in CO and while tight for that use it worked out fine.

Negatives are the weight and size. She's heavy and the 9-10 beam makes towing very far an issue. I only went from the local storage to the marina (later the house RV pad to the marina), so all local towing and never bothered with wide-load permits and never had any issues. However, if you were looking to trailer it - I think they're too big.

Also, at 5-10 the only place you'll be able to actually stand up is under the hatch, but looks like you've figured that out already.

Loved mine, the only reason I sold it and went to the CP25 is that I was doing much more racing than cruising and the CP26 just wasnt as competitive as the 25. There's still a couple around here, including my old one at Dillon.

Jim

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2009 : 10:11:27

not mine, check it out, would be a nice ride for anyone on the coast or not interested in trailering, 1990 capri 26, inboard diesel, wing keel:

http://www.sailingtexas.com/scapri26102.html

Edited by - dmpilc on 03/24/2009 10:13:55

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