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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Trailering

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tgrassslp
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/03/2004 : 22:36:22

Greetings to all on this wonderful forum.

You might have been following the exploits of Grasshopper (the Green - Catalina 22) and its loyal crew as they attempt to upgrade to a Catalina 250.

The WB model we looked at our local dealer appears to have some serious defects (see "Survey" posting elsewhere in this forum).

Now we're between the classic rock and a hard place. There are two more boats to choose from in our price range in our local.

A 2001 Catalina 250 WK is a true jewel. It's a bit expensive but if we forego the kids' shoes for a few decades, we probably could swing it. Does anyone truly Trailer a 250 WK? Our vehicle is a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 with a rated towing capacity of 6250# with a towing package. Are we out of our minds to comtemplate towing this 5500# dry(per our dealer) boat and trailer? We saw in a recent posting that Tony Partain purchased such a boat - he posted a picture - it looked like he was pulling his rig with a full size Ford Expedition or something similar.

The other alternative almost turns our stomach! They have a prestine Hunter 26 WB. It looks like a match made in heaven - but we really don't want to leave the Catalina Owner community.

We're not asking for a decision - but any insights or thoughts would be appreciated.

(Plan B is to keep our Catalina 22 - a really great boat. It's just that that enclosed Head is soooo inviting.)

Regards,

Tom Grass
9309
Grasshopper

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2004 : 23:11:43

It still boils down to whether trailering often or in the water. Missouri is central and within springing distance in many directions. You have a boat to sail now... I'd say, decide what boat you want and if that one requires some patience to find... it will be worth it.

Edited by - on

tgrass462
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2004 : 23:17:58

Arlyn - thanks for the reply. Reading between the lines - you're saying - IF you trailer - wait for a WB; a WK is NOT suited for transport by mere mortals.

Tom Grass
Grasshopper
9309

Edited by - on

Tony Partain
1st Mate

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USA
93 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2004 : 23:44:05

Tom I have a Ford Excursion and it is a very good vehicle to tow the wing keel. With you living in St. Louis off of highway FARDY

you should keep your boat at Carlyle Lake and not have to tow it much. What are your plans as far as towing? BTW I grew up is St Louis and sailed at Carlyle Lake in the late 1990's. I had a Viper 640 and a Hobie 20.

Edited by - on

tgrass462
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 00:04:40

Thanks Tony for getting back to us ...

I guess we're spoiled - we've trailered Grasshopper to Lake Erie; to Door County; to Ky Lake, etc.

BTW - what's the towing capacity of your Expedition?

Thanks,

Tom Grass
Grasshopper
9309

Edited by - on

Tony Partain
1st Mate

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USA
93 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 00:20:46

With destinations like those Carlyle would get a little boring after a weekend.

The Excursion has a 10,000 lb tow rating. Plenty of room to spare.

I plan to sail the San Juan's this summer and then the Nationals in July. With so many lakes here in central Oregon like Elk Lake,Waldo Lake,Cultus Lake and Odell Lake, we plan on trailering quite often.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 08:48:29

Tom,

I'm not saying the wing is unsuitable for transport which is a good choice of words. Transport denotes extra efforts in hauling and loading /unloading so is a good word. C25s, C27s, Norsea 27s and a host of boats are transportable, but they were not designed for trailer sailoring ease.

Maybe this writing will be of benefit.

[url="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rik.html"]Letter To Rik[/url]

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 04/04/2004 12:34:34

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 11:49:40

Do I read between the lines that the defects revealed in the survey are indeed structural in nature, and cannot be easily repaired with a dollup of WestSysytem, or be reflected in a somewhat reduced purchase price?

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

Edited by - Oscar on 04/04/2004 11:51:48

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 12:54:15

Interestingly, the location can be noted in the middle of the country. Far enough north to experience some nasty cold weather but south enough to perhaps try to extend the sailing season limits.

If a water ballast were left in the water too late in the season with her ballast tank full, I can see that damage could result.

Also, having the yard haul the boat would be disasterous if the yard guys didn't remember that it was a water ballast or the owner came along to winterise and failed to catch that the yard didn't drain the ballast.

Just wondering if she may have gotten froze.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 04/04/2004 12:54:45

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 14:27:36

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Just wondering if she may have gotten froze.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

OUCH! That would only have to happen once, and it wouldn't take much!!

Now that I think about it, I'm surprised Catalina did not put a big warning placard on the boat somewhere...

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

Edited by - Oscar on 04/04/2004 14:29:26

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 16:45:22

Messing with boats is about like model airplanes... hang around very long and all kinds of interesting things will pop up.

I realize I'm repeating this story at some cost to the owner which I wouldn't name if I could even remembered and my intent is not to cause any more grief than they experienced. I respect those who can tell their misfortunes (even when they result from a self inflicted wound) to help others avoid them.

We had a 250 sunk at her berth or rather it was in the process of sinking but suspended by her dock lines. What happened is the ballast valve was left open which is generally not a big deal but when the lake rose with winter rains, the dock lines came up short holding her down and the water line rose above the little seeping grommet on the valve shaft

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2004 : 19:25:49

No more seeping here.....

Oscar.

Edited by - on

ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2004 : 23:01:11

Oscar, what is the picture of?? owner of a WK
Steve

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2004 : 12:57:45

It is the operating end of the water ballast valve. It's basically a threaded rod with an oversized wing nut on it. The other end has a disc on it which opens/closes a hole in the bottom of the boat.

The radiator looking type hose is where the line feeds through that raises/lowers the centerboard. All this is housed in a box moulded into the interior lining, which doubles as the bottom step of the companion way ladder.

The small piece of expoxy filled pvc tubing is my mod which builds up the "dome" to a flat surface where a washer can actually seal, and avoid the seepage which led to the disaster related to us by Arlyn above.

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

Edited by - on

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