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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Ridiculous

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doublereefed
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167 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/06/2016 : 19:15:44

Aloha from sailing at 6,000 feet on alpine lakes. Had a great day of sailing today... really the first good sail all summer. Life/work/gets in the way sometimes.

Had a ridiculously great sail, but there are a few ridiculous things going on with my boat. (1995 C250 WB). I could use some pointers. We had strong winds (15 knots?) for about an hour, really gave me a chance to work out the boat and get a feel for her.

First, I do not have a long shaft outboard. I have almost zero reverse. Are there any workarounds? Such as one of those circular blade covers that I have read about? I can't really drop the motor in any farther... I won't be able to get to it. Other than asking Santa for a 9.9HP long shaft Honda with starter and charger... any way to ease my pain in reverse?

Second, I need a new rudder. That original rudder is just seriously under powered (what's a more nautically-savvy term?). The metal bracket that connects tiller to top of rudder (the old beaching kick up type) is flexing massively under load... both sail and powering... and not controlling the boat. I searched.. it looks like there's a Catalina Direct version... but I recall another manufacturer from other posts, but can't seem to locate in the forum. Any pointers to my options, with opinions or actual experience much appreciated.

Third, I have stern seat envy. I Googled around... searched these forums... anywhere I can buy stern seats that are OEM or close to it? (Now that I type this... I guess I can call Catalina... but do they sell parts direct like that?)

Grand fun, as always there is something to throw boat bucks at that will make it even more fun.

Thanks!

-Richard

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

TEM58
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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2016 : 21:49:16

Congrats on a great sail. Can you describe what the problem is in reverse? Also, what motor do you have now?

I am not familiar with the kick up rudder on the 250, but there's a good discussion in the first link. BTW, Arlyn Stewart (first link) is considered to be the hands down authority on the 250. Foss foam (http://newrudders.com/) may be the vendor you were thinking of.

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=25987&SearchTerms=Rudder

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=26654&SearchTerms=Rudder

Tim M
�Perfect Match II�
2003 C350 #35
Cruising FL
PO "Wine Down"
2000 C250 WK #453
PO "Perfect Match"
1983 C25 SR/SK #3932
Lake Belton
Belton, TX

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2016 : 09:27:03

For your replacement rudder, call Ruddercraft (sorry I don't have their number). I bought one from them and they were most helpful. They will ask for the distance between your pintles and will then install them for you. It was a darn good rudder too - was like having power steering!

Derek Crawford
Chief Measurer C25-250 2008
Previous owner of "This Side UP"
1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized"
San Antonio, Texas

jefferydfloyd
1st Mate

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USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2016 : 10:01:37

Here is a thread that I used to make a helm seat

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=15877&SearchTerms=folding,helm,seat

And here are some pics of the mod I did

https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2773+220

Jeff Floyd

Edited by - jefferydfloyd on 08/07/2016 10:02:41

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 07:18:24

Stern seats will be an expensive upgrade and difficult install that may require modifications to the seats that you get:

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/2265_234/stern-pulpit-c-250.cfm

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

doublereefed
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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 09:37:49

Thanks for all the info an references. Very much appreciated. After reading through everything, that solid HDPE rudder that Catalina Direct offers looks pretty good. It seem very similar to the Idasailor rudder... is that likely where Catalina Direct sources it?

Tim, I have a 6HP Mercury outboard. It's a sweet little engine. It definitely has enough umph in forward. For instance, it pretty strong winds there was absolutely no problem with powering directly into the wind while I was on the deck reefing the main. In reverse it just has no power. In full reverse, and even trying lower RPM to see if there was a sweet spot (cavitation?) it just no power. It will very very slowly back me up, but there isn't even enough flow over rudder to control that way, and moving the outboard right an left also really has no effect.

Thanks all for the info...

-Richard

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 13:12:13

Yup--Santa is the guy to see... But you can save a few boat-units by asking him for the high-thrust, X-long Honda 8--everything is the same as the 9.9, but it's cammed for more torque at lower RPMs, according to a factory rep, and therefore better matched to a heavy displacement hull, while the 9.9 will do better at planing a dinghy. Mine was wonderful on our C-25, pushing her to hull speed at around 2/3 throttle, cruising at about half, backing with plenty of pull, and stopping her as if she'd run into a pillow. Quiet, smooth, instant push-button starting, and probably the strongest alternator in the class. But it's heavier and more expensive than the Tohatsu.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

doublereefed
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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 13:52:35

Dave, that does sound like a dream. For comparison, what is the Tohatsu engine you reference?

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

doublereefed
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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 15:48:58

Rick... wow, yes, a pricey upgrade. That must be $1,000 per seat...? I don't presume to be lucky enough that it's $1,000 for the set... thanks for the link.

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

doublereefed
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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 16:05:06

I read through all the forums referred above... one item I have questions about. It sounds like folks have added 100 lbs under the v berth? Is that a pretty common thing to do? Easy to try... I think I will. Those topics/comments were from 2009, wondering if there are any new insights on this since then?

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 16:29:57

I added more like 300 lb, but it was a wing keel. The fore-aft balance of the WB may be totally different.

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2016 : 21:26:03

quote:
Originally posted by doublereefed

Dave, that does sound like a dream. For comparison, what is the Tohatsu engine you reference?

The comparable Tohatsu is their 9.8 hp 4-stroke, available with X-long, electric start, etc. It doesn't offer a "high thrust" option that I know of--meaning a larger, lower-pitch prop and exhaust diversion in reverse so the exhaust gas doesn't exit at the prop hub, where it can kill the prop's bite in the water in reverse. But I know more about the Honda than the Tohatsu. (Then there's Mercury, which has models in that class with Tohatsu powerheads--I know less, meaning virtually nothing, about them.)

Yamaha has a high-thrust 9.9hp model that's about the same weight as the Honda. When I was looking, it didn't include a pull-starter for backup--that may not be the case now.

The Honda's 12 amp charging is about double everyone else's. But they're all nice--each with fans among this group. Some times the choice winds up being based on what local dealer gives you a nice deal and will be there when you need parts and service.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/08/2016 21:55:18

doublereefed
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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2016 : 07:55:00

Dave, thanks for that info. I'll start reading up on these.

Best,

-Richard

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

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