Association Forum - Wing keel vs. water ballast

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Wing keel vs. water ballast

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sailorman
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/26/2004 : 23:44:32

While still wrestling with which boat to buy :wk/wb,(it's more financial now), a question has come up that I thought the group could help with. Talking to Catalina, they tell me that some 70% of all 250's sold are water ballast. That being true, why then of all the 250's listed on Boat Trader and Yacht World are 64% wing keels? That converts to owners getting rid of wing keels at twice the rate,(versus water ballast), that they were bought at. Any ideas?

"On Eagle's Wing" WB/#643

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2004 : 00:13:18

I don't think people can replace the trailer-ability of the WB with anything that comes close to the quality of ownership that comes with the Catalina. If trailering is your deal, what would you trade it for? The WK is a wonderful stepping stone to other boats, I am sure the people selling them have become interested in moving up because of the pleasure they had sailing and owning the WK. Those people have options, the trailer sailors don't.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2004 : 08:41:32

Ed,

Those are interesting numbers... keep in mind that they will be influenced some because the first 230 or so hulls were all water ballast.

Frank's perspective is right on the mark...

Part of the answer can be seen in the original design of the 250, it was designed as a trailer/sailor to fit a niche market that didn't have a lot of used boats competing against it. With 6,000 Catalina 25's plus O'Days and a host of other used boats available... its not hard to see the dynamics involved. A wing keel sale has to compete against all of those boats whereas a w/b competes against Mac and Hunter.

The w/b in my opinion is the better of those three choices whereas the w/k may not be the best of the choices it competes against when considering the economics of buying new vs used.

I havn't gotten any impression that W/Ks are being sold because they were underappreciated, as Frank says... many are simply moving up in length which is not an option for the trailer sailor.

On the other hand, 5-6 years ago, w/b were easy to find used because owners weren't happy with them, but that changed when the 2nd generation rudder was released and the boat was tamed.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2004 : 10:47:37

If you're going to keep it in the water for longer periods..(months) especially salt water, get a wing, and if you want to haul it over the road once in a while, deal with the trailering issues associated with trailering a wing. (It is very doable, just requires a little more re. towing vehicle and launching ramps).

If you're going to keep it out of the water on a trailer, and schlepp it around a lot, get a water ballast.

The trailor sailer is at the pinnacle of his career, size wise, with this boat. Indeed the in-water (read: wing) sailors are probably more prone to "two foot-itis".....

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay in Venice Inlet, Florida USA.

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Grego5
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 03/27/2004 : 11:02:29

When I started looking for my boat about 10 months ago I was looking for a trailerable boat (I live within 15 miles of about 10 launches). While looking at the boats I found that I had a couple of issuses to deal with.

1. An odd shaped driveway that would make it very difficult to put the boat in my drive way.
2. Dry Storage was hard to come by for a boat that big.
3. Dry Storage was more expensive than a slip in the marina.

As it happened I found a Wing that someone was selling because they had already purchases a 36 Footer. I'm content for now but mnay need to move up in a few years.

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frogger
Navigator

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USA
184 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2004 : 17:53:02

For whatever it's worth - I researched "the boat" for two full years, boat shows, dealers, literature, etc, and the Catalina 250 K came out on top for me and family. We plan to sail primarily in a lake and probably will not take it out unless it's for protected limited coastal areas. I actually bought this boat without ever sailing it or one like it. Finally splashed in this past Friday, and know we made the right choice. Good luck on finding a comparison.

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frejoh
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2004 : 13:55:58

(cont'd) I must tell you the main reson we got the 250 WK is the space below decks, specifically the enclosed head and the ability to almost stand. With two growing kids, it seemed anything less would just be too cozy. Checking out a WB at a boat show after our purchase, I was amazed at the difference in headroom due to the depth of the ballast tank. I would say if you plan to weekend aboard (or for longer), this could be a real factor. Like many owners, I felt (and still feel) like the 250 was the best combination of size, features, cost and quality in its class. We have no issues with the WK at all.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2004 : 16:22:28

ED,
Every time this debate comes up I say this and I am thinking its not that important for most people because nobody ever says this but for me...WB was all about being able to get into skinnier water. I am in Dewey Beach Delaware which is a great sheltered Atlantic coast bay with nice breezes all season and easy access to the ocean but boy is it shallow. The skinny draft of the WB lets me do two and three hour sails around my picturesque bay. The boat is also salty enough to get into the ocean and run up the coast with the dolphins. OH boy! Launching soon!
Bill

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sailorman
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2004 : 00:28:01

Hey guys, thanks. As I have posted, I have purchased a water ballast. I know the head room is a factor, but so is towing and as suggested; ability to sail in skinny water. I had towing issues with the wing keel and got a killer deal on the water ballast. Also one of the areas I intend to sail is the Florida Keys and we like snorkeling,so I think the w/b makes the most sense. My motor is due on May 20, then I get to play.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2004 : 08:40:49

Ed, I doubt you will sense headroom as much an issue. Because of the pop top and all weather enclosure, headroom has little if any effect on how the boat can be used or enjoyed.

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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.