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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

110 vs 135 on 250 WB

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/29/2012 : 09:12:30

In 2003 when I ordered the boat I had the option of ordering a 135 head sail but went with the 110. The 110, in my opinion, has been a good all around sail for the WB.......but there are times in light wind that I wish for a more power/speed (we do some not too serious racing). I've found and remember only a few owners of the 250 WB that have the 135 and have commented on it in the forum. Has anyone with a WB compared the 110 and the 135 or have comments/recommendations on the 135?? Being a 2003 my shrouds are located closer into the mast than on the earlier models which is better to accomodate the 135 and I've not compared my track to earlier models but believe that it comes back far enough to accomodate the 135. Thank you!

Steve
C250 WB #702

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 10:54:32

Hi Steve... If you sail in light air quite often, there would be benefit from a 135. The 110 is inadequate in light air. There is no surprise here... back before furlers... almost every boat would have both to hank on the right sail for the conditions.

Your task is to assess your average conditions and make a choice.

Even if most of your sailing is in heavier air than a 135 would enjoy... for those light air days there is the option of a drifter or asymmetrical and they can add a measure of fun and adventure.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 11:01:33

I replaced my 110% with a 135% sail but, I probably wouldn't make that choice again. Don't get me wrong, I think the 135% is a good sail for our boat. I don't mind sacrificing sailshape on those days that a furled-in headsail is indicated. In normal conditions, the 110% kept me at adequate speed and performance. I single hand a lot and a shorter sail is just easier to tack than a bigger one. In fact, I kinda wish that the boat had a shorter self-tacking system as a regular feature. I changed it for exactly the reason you mentioned. I wanted more sail up in light/very light winds. If I were to do it again, I'd keep the 110% and purchase a drifter (gennaker, assym spin, etc.) for the light wind days. I really think that is the smarter choice if the only thing you're looking for is improved light wind performance. Remember that a 135% weighs more therefore is harder to keep full in light winds than is a 110% so, the difference in size may simply be a wash.

Having said all that, I'll probably keep the 135% for the life of the sail but, when the time comes to replace it, I'll likely go back to a shorter headsail and a drifter.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 15:05:03

Interesting discussion. For me, I like the simplicity of the furler system and am not anxious to fly a lightweight specialty sail for light wind days. I like the 135 and we just furl it in a bit when the wind gets too much for it.

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 20:02:54

Thank you Arlyn, John and Randy for your much appreciated advice and comments!

What got me thinking about the bigger head sail was (1) the Catalina Overstock notice in the latest Mainsheet. As it turns out the message that I rec'd back from Catalina indicated that they weren't overstocked with 135's for the C250. Of course one could be ordered though. (2) My wife jokingly telling me that if we didn't get a bigger sail she was going to quit racing with me. Even though it's for fun and we do ok....racing is still competition (3) Seems that the C250 wb is often handicapped the same whether it has a 110 or a 135, as long as the boat could be purchased new with a 135, which our 2003 could. If I recall, this is how the handicapping has gone in at least some of the C25/250 Nationals also. Now the handicapping if you go to a drifter or a spinnaker....that's a different story ;~).

So.....even though I have been requested to order the bigger sail I'm still chewing on it. I have the impression that the 135 is much more common with C250 wk boats, which the comments here seem to support and though a 135 on a C250 seems to be a rarity I do remember at least a couple C250 wb boats on the forum in the past that had the 135.

Steve
C250 WB #702

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 20:23:17

I have a nearly-new 110 that I'm generally happy with, and am interesting in possibly following John's advice to get a drifter for light wind days. My boat has some extra ground tackle that appears to have been used by a PO for a drifter (rotating clam cleats on the coamings just in front of the perch seats, extra fairleads and cheek blocks on the cabin top), so rigging it should be pretty easy:

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However, I would prefer to find a used sail rather than having something custom made. I do not know where to start in terms of what specifications to look for. I think I'll be waiting a loooong time if I wait for someone to say "I have a used drifter for a C250". I'm thinking I'd have to adapt something from another boat. Can anyone suggest what measurements or other compatible boats I should be looking for?

I also remember someone posting something about some way to strap the tack around the furled headsail without removing it. What is this called? In other words, what sort of search terms should I be putting into Craigslist, ebay, etc. to get me the best chance of finding something that will be most likely to work on my C250?

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/30/2012 20:27:55

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 20:47:50

Rick, you want the [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=34306&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50045&subdeptNum=50118&classNum=50122"]ATN Tacker[/url]

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/30/2012 20:59:16

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2012 : 02:39:46

A generic drifter probably won't work because the sheeting angle has to be high cut to work with sheets leading to the aft stanchion bases.

As to racing... a drifter is probably not a good choice for racing unless there is certainty that winds will not exceed 8 mph. Above that, it has to come down. A racer would have to use a sock as otherwise it has to be doused off wind in the lee of the main (too much time).

I'm not aware of how much effort/time is needed when using a sock.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.