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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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C250 for sailing the S.F. Bay Area?

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darkpup
Deckhand

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10 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2002 : 16:00:32

From reading the "Boat Decision" and "added ballast..." threads, I'm curious about whether the C250 (WB or WK) is a good boat for sailing in the San Francisco/Bay Area.

My goals that I want to acheive with a bigger boat are two fold:
1. More space (i.e. enclosed head for the admiral)
2. A boat capable of sailing in the Bay Area and easy to trailer.

I'd like to be able to day sail or overnight in the Bay Area, and also be able to trailer to the San Juan Islands or the Sea of Cortez for 1 to 2 week trips. I'm not planning on sailing in big water and wind, but I know that the wind picks up quickly around S.F. and I want to be safe.

The catch 22 is trying to balance trailering between seaworthiness. Does the C250 make for a good protected, salt water boat? And is the WK a better choice over the WB when sailing in the Bay Area (S.F.), San Juans, Mexico, and possibly the Florida Keys?

Jason Wyatt
Aegir's Wind #1535 C22 sk
Roseville, Ca

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DougA
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2002 : 17:01:08

I, along with several others, sail a 250 WB in SF Bay all the time. There are also WK versions. One of the first things I did was add a second reef which I have had to use. I chose the WK over the WK for ease of trailering, it sits lower and weighs less. The WK does have about 9 inches more head room. I have towed mine all around the Bay Area, over the hill to Monterey Bay, Tomalas Bay, up your way to Folsom twice, and two years ago to the San Juans for 10 days. I know others who take theirs to Clear Lake, Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake and just about anywhere they want to go. You should try to come to Sail Expo in Oakland which runs from April 18-24. There will be a WB on a trailer showed by a company from Santa Rosa, Wind Toys. There will also be a WK in the water showed by Catalina.

Doug A., C250wb, San Franciscp Bay area

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darkpup
Deckhand

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10 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2002 : 18:12:47

Hi Doug,

I was kind of hoping the WB version of the C250 was being sailed on the Bay. The cost for an older C25 WK with trailer is around $15k, the C250 WB with trailer can be found for around $18k, and the C250 WK with trailer can be found for $23k to $29k. I used the search on www.boats.com to get the prices above. The cost, although not mentioned in my original post, is also a concern (of course).

I have tickets for the 20th (Saturday) at Pac. Sail Expo. I'm planning on meeting Gary Clarke there. Gary has also generously offered a chance to sail with him on his C250 WB, and hopefully we'll be able to meet up the first part of May.

Although I'm about a year or two away from moving up to a larger boat, I'm a bit motivated to learn all I can about the C250. My wife and I are planning on starting a family, and I want to get my toys squared away before then.

Thanks for your post Doug.

Jason Wyatt
Aegir's Wind #1535 C22 sk
Roseville, Ca

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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3312 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2002 : 19:10:15

Jason - you should be able to find an older (early '80's?) C25 with a trailer for a lot less than $15K!! IMHO the C25 is a much easier boat to sail in good winds (15k +) than a C250 (although I have only sailed on a 250 once!). Unfortunately, it is so true that it is much harder to trailer.
Derek on "This Side Up" C25 TRFK #2262

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darkpup
Deckhand

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Response Posted - 04/09/2002 : 19:50:00

Derek,

I already have a 550 lb. swing keel on my C22, and to be honest, a 1500 lb. swing keel doesn't sound like much fun. I recently purchased the Catalina Direct video on refinishing a C22 keel, and will be tackling that chore next winter.

I would definitely consider an older C25 fin keel if I was ok with parking the boat in a slip somewhere. However, I don't want to be tied to a particular sailing area or the need to always have a slip.

The $15k price I mentioned was found on www.boats.com for a C25 WK with trailer. The C25 WK seems to be a great alternative to the C250. However, I really like the design and features of the C250 (for sailing and trailering), and since there is only a $3k diference in price between a C250WB and the C25WK, I'm leaning toward the C250.

Now I have seen some C25 WKs in the $12.5k to $13k range, but they usually don't come with a trailer. The cost of a C25 WK at $12k combined with the cost of a trailer ($3k to $4k, unless I'm mistaken on trailer prices) puts the price near that of the C250 WB boats I've seen on the market.

If it wasn't for my desire to have a trailerable boat, I would definitely consider a pre 1986 C25 or C27.

Jason Wyatt
Aegir's Wind #1535 C22 sk
Roseville, Ca

Edited by - darkpup on 04/09/2002 20:24:18

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Mark Maxwell
Captain

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USA
329 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2002 : 20:11:49

Hi Jason,

Your making a good choice in the C250 mostly because you said it fits your needs. So the C250 is a little more tender than the C25, you just reef sooner. Besides, it doesn't matter how heavy your boat is, in the Bay, any boat can get into trouble if the skipper isn't paying attention. Be Safe, Sail Smart <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Mark-
<img src="http://personal.jax.bellsouth.net/jax/l/c/lchaplin/unkarock/usflagwav.gif" border=0>
'Impulse'
C25 #533 DINN/FIN ~_/)~

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.