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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

2001 250, what to check for

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Old Chuck
Deckhand

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USA
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/19/2011 : 19:07:53

Hi, now sailing a Cat. 25. Going to check out a 2001 250, wing keel, for possible purchase/upgrade. What should I look out for?
regards, chuck

Slow and old.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 19:18:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Old Chuck
 Hi, now sailing a Cat. 25. Going to check out a 2001 250, wing keel, for possible purchase/upgrade. What should I look out for?
regards, chuck
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Uh, jealous C25 owners?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Seriously, though, aside from the sailing attributes that many criticize in the C250, the only thing I can think of right now is the mechanics of the steering (if it has a wheel).

Where is the boat located? I looked at a 2001 a couple of years ago, and I could tell you a few things if it's the same boat. You can email me the HIN if you want to.

Edited by - TakeFive on 10/19/2011 19:22:44

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 19:37:49

The same things you'd look for in any other boat. The 250 doesn't have any specific issues based on its design. I often refer to mine as a plastic bucket with a stick. It really has no systems to speak of. Porta-potti, non-pressurized water, simple electrics, etc.

It has different sailing characteristics than the C25 but, that's not something "to look out for". It's just a different boat. It has a lot more freeboard than the C25 and some say that makes it more tender to sail. I think it's just different.

Bottom line is I think the C250 is a terrific boat. Its design is much more modern, some might call it "European", than the more traditionally styled C25.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 19:53:29

I'd primarily look out for whether you like the feel. As John says, it's a different boat--a little lighter, a little more tender, with a little less sail carrying capacity. In light air on flat water, it might feel a little quicker... In bigger breezes it won't stand up and cut through the chop quite as well. Try to get a trial run in some varying winds and sea conditions that are representative of what you're used to.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 04:14:15

Check the steel to deck connections of hinges, stanchions, rudder pintals, anchor line point.
All tubes (from water tanks, sinks, and bilge)
All shrouds, Baby stays.
Boom blocks inside and out. (toughy)

Paul

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 16:12:54

the motor is extra long ..

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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 17:14:13

Check all three lights on the mast (you're lucky to have one of three illuminate), that depth/speed gauge works, ask if and when the standing rigging was been replaced, examine the battery compartment (look for evidence of leaking and rust on the hardware), hoist the main and jib (checking for condition/tears/soiling), look for issues in the steering hardware (will the rudder turn completely to port and to starboard), if there's a trailer are the tires original...regardless of the amount of tread they should have been replaced at least once (check the bearings before towing any distance), light the galley stove, pump each of the faucets, look at the bilge for evidence of water (could mean damage in other parts of the boat), check the age of the batteries (original means you'll likely have to replace).

Anything not functional or of age should be used to negotiate a lower price.

Edited by - on

DavidCrosby
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2011 : 10:05:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by superbob
 if there's a trailer are the tires original...regardless of the amount of tread they should have been replaced at least once
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When checking tires, check the valve stems. The tires on my 2002 WK were good. The valve stems were long past dead. I suppose I should have checked the air pressure with a gauge, but I was in a place that I could not do anything about it. I figured I would get the tire pressure right at my first stop. I did not make it that far. I ended up replacing four valve stems out on the highway. I could have bought four new tires on rims for what that mistake cost me.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2011 : 11:11:41

My biggest thing I never thought of was my 68 year old [arthritic] hips and legs getting aboard from the dock and getting up onto the upper deck and reversing that process. Been doing it for over 11 years and it gets a little tougher each year.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2011 : 12:58:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bear
 My biggest thing I never thought of was my 68 year old [arthritic] hips and legs getting aboard from the dock and getting up onto the upper deck and reversing that process. Been doing it for over 11 years and it gets a little tougher each year.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
As far as getting aboard into the cockpit, starting around 1998 Catalina added a very nice boarding step (molded into the outer coaming) to assist boarding. The 2001 that the OP is looking at would have this feature - older boats may not.

The step up from the cockpit onto the cabin top is still a big one. Maybe someone has fabricated a small step that could assist with this?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/21/2011 : 15:03:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 The step up from the cockpit onto the cabin top is still a big one. Maybe someone has fabricated a small step that could assist with this?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">How about the classic [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=108601&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10105&subdeptNum=10397&classNum=10399"]folding step[/url] on the bulkhead...

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2011 : 15:06:00

When I go up on deck on the starboard side, I put my right foot on the coaming just under the middle stanchion, left foot first on port side. It's a very natural step up to the deck with the other foot for a short guy. I think installing another step will just get in the way, IMO.

Edited by - John Russell on 10/23/2011 15:09:08

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/23/2011 : 15:19:52

John, The past few years I use a couple of old boat cushions on the cockpit seating area, makes that first step up a little shorter and cushions the step coming down.

Edited by - on

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