Have run into a stellar 25' - 1984. Asking price is $10K Wife and I want to sail. Have been power boaters for many years and have good knowledge of the water. Will be on Ches. Bay and have slip. Question is, can this boat be a good starter boat? Thanks for your thoughts. Bill
25' A good place to start?
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C 25
You can start with any size you want. Most start smaller because we start at a young age and can't afford anything else. Depending on condition, equipment and if it has a trailer, that price seems a bit high. Check the C25/250 forum: www.catalina-capri-25s.com
You can start with any size you want. Most start smaller because we start at a young age and can't afford anything else. Depending on condition, equipment and if it has a trailer, that price seems a bit high. Check the C25/250 forum: www.catalina-capri-25s.com
Yes, as long as it matches your needs
You should be sure that you will be happy with the boat inside and out. Make sure you'll be happy sailing and staying on board if that is the plan. Make sure you like the coclpit and the cabin. You should make sure you can handle the maintenance. Look at other boats! See what is out there. Refine your price range to match your need. Don't buy a boat becuase you thing it is cheap. For instance, 10 Gs for a 1984 seems high. You could get a late 90s Catalina 250 for 15 Gs or a Hunter 240 or 260 10 - 18 Gs. Newer boats are nicer don't listen to the older sailer. A walk through trasom is a big plus. Resale value with newer boats is also higher and they sell quicker! That said, fall and early winter are the best times to but a boat! People want to get rid or them before the pay winter storage and summer. Good Luck
You should be sure that you will be happy with the boat inside and out. Make sure you'll be happy sailing and staying on board if that is the plan. Make sure you like the coclpit and the cabin. You should make sure you can handle the maintenance. Look at other boats! See what is out there. Refine your price range to match your need. Don't buy a boat becuase you thing it is cheap. For instance, 10 Gs for a 1984 seems high. You could get a late 90s Catalina 250 for 15 Gs or a Hunter 240 or 260 10 - 18 Gs. Newer boats are nicer don't listen to the older sailer. A walk through trasom is a big plus. Resale value with newer boats is also higher and they sell quicker! That said, fall and early winter are the best times to but a boat! People want to get rid or them before the pay winter storage and summer. Good Luck
Yes on the 25
We started last year on a 1985 Catalina 25 standard rig/fin keel. We took keelboat lessons on a 27 footer and we haven't regretted it. We are not experts by any means, but a 25 is large enough to be able to be comfortable in if you want to stay overnight, and small enough to learn on. That said, we are already thinking ahead about a year or two. I want more headroom than the 25 provides. We are looking at a C27/270, or a C28 MKII.
We started last year on a 1985 Catalina 25 standard rig/fin keel. We took keelboat lessons on a 27 footer and we haven't regretted it. We are not experts by any means, but a 25 is large enough to be able to be comfortable in if you want to stay overnight, and small enough to learn on. That said, we are already thinking ahead about a year or two. I want more headroom than the 25 provides. We are looking at a C27/270, or a C28 MKII.
C 25
Bill We also bought last season ( Catalina C 25 ) I have spent 8 to 10 years on the Bay, but it was a 25 Power boat. We are truly having a great time and honestly do not see a reason to move up for now. I am 6 2" 225 lb. ( my wife is not ) and we have a couple of field spaniels. There is plenty of room for weekends,A non stop 2 weeker might be something else, but probably more to do with lack of a great shower situation than anything else. Predestined has a Marine head with holding tank,and a Univ. M12 Diesel. I feel this helps make a small boat feel bigger. Our boat is a 1986 in great shape with alot of little extras, I agree with Waffle and Bert. The price does seem a bit high, but then again you have seen the boat,I have not.Better bring at least a friend with some knowledge( if you can ) then take the heat off him and have it surveyed which will be a big help with insurance ( hull is over 20 years old, insurance like the survey ) In any case I hope you find what you want and get out there on the water. Good Luck Grigs
Bill We also bought last season ( Catalina C 25 ) I have spent 8 to 10 years on the Bay, but it was a 25 Power boat. We are truly having a great time and honestly do not see a reason to move up for now. I am 6 2" 225 lb. ( my wife is not ) and we have a couple of field spaniels. There is plenty of room for weekends,A non stop 2 weeker might be something else, but probably more to do with lack of a great shower situation than anything else. Predestined has a Marine head with holding tank,and a Univ. M12 Diesel. I feel this helps make a small boat feel bigger. Our boat is a 1986 in great shape with alot of little extras, I agree with Waffle and Bert. The price does seem a bit high, but then again you have seen the boat,I have not.Better bring at least a friend with some knowledge( if you can ) then take the heat off him and have it surveyed which will be a big help with insurance ( hull is over 20 years old, insurance like the survey ) In any case I hope you find what you want and get out there on the water. Good Luck Grigs
C-25?
Hi Bill, I too bought my 1989 C-25 standard rig wing keel last year and I paid 10 for it. Was it too much? probably, but it was what I was looking for, close to home, and was very clean, even nicer than the pics in the ad. So I think it was a good deal and I've fallen in love with it. Wouldn't go back if I could!
Hi Bill, I too bought my 1989 C-25 standard rig wing keel last year and I paid 10 for it. Was it too much? probably, but it was what I was looking for, close to home, and was very clean, even nicer than the pics in the ad. So I think it was a good deal and I've fallen in love with it. Wouldn't go back if I could!
Had two -25 footers
Bill. First, thats a chunk of change for an '84 model!! If it had a new 8+ horsepower engine, new sails, new interior, standing rigging, etc, that might be a decent buy, but you can do better with some research and it may well pay off to travel and pick up a vessel, especially if you have dockage lined up. They have an 8-foot beam and can be trailered easily. If you do your research you will find dozens if not hundreds on the market in all kinds of condition and price ranges. Preferably I like those made in the later 80's. They are very popular boats and I found the right size for weekending. Perfect for a couple and can sleep 6+ if your all close! They are a solid sailor that can run with the best of them. Chesapeake would be great sailing for the 25-Catalina. I would look for outboard power no less than 7-8 hp, and shore power as well. That feature was an option for many years and it pays to have the AC power at the dock. Most were potta-potti equipped, DC powered water pump for galley and aft sink, convertible dinettes and great cockpit area. All were tillers til the new models came out. You can retrofit to a wheel with some great kits. Parts and the vast network of support adds to their appeal. Check out the Catalina 25 Association when you link over to "resources and to other boat owners sites" here. Even though it may be a 25, I recommend a survey before purchase, especially if its a saltwater boat. The value of a survey is priceless. Welcome to the world of sailing.........its not an adventure but a way of life. Good luck Bob Catalina 30 Breezin I
Bill. First, thats a chunk of change for an '84 model!! If it had a new 8+ horsepower engine, new sails, new interior, standing rigging, etc, that might be a decent buy, but you can do better with some research and it may well pay off to travel and pick up a vessel, especially if you have dockage lined up. They have an 8-foot beam and can be trailered easily. If you do your research you will find dozens if not hundreds on the market in all kinds of condition and price ranges. Preferably I like those made in the later 80's. They are very popular boats and I found the right size for weekending. Perfect for a couple and can sleep 6+ if your all close! They are a solid sailor that can run with the best of them. Chesapeake would be great sailing for the 25-Catalina. I would look for outboard power no less than 7-8 hp, and shore power as well. That feature was an option for many years and it pays to have the AC power at the dock. Most were potta-potti equipped, DC powered water pump for galley and aft sink, convertible dinettes and great cockpit area. All were tillers til the new models came out. You can retrofit to a wheel with some great kits. Parts and the vast network of support adds to their appeal. Check out the Catalina 25 Association when you link over to "resources and to other boat owners sites" here. Even though it may be a 25, I recommend a survey before purchase, especially if its a saltwater boat. The value of a survey is priceless. Welcome to the world of sailing.........its not an adventure but a way of life. Good luck Bob Catalina 30 Breezin I
Comparable C-25
Bill I purchased a 1981 tall rig/fin keel Catalina 25 in very good shape on the Chesapeake for a heck of a lot less than $10K...granted I bought her from someone who already had purchased a bigger boat and it was October (though the slip was paid till March). I know I got a great deal...but it wasn't that great a deal. There are various sites you can find Catalinas for sale, especially the sites mentioned above. Take your time, do your research, and if this one doesn't work out, you'll find another one...I was given this very wise advice, "used sailboats are like buses, there is always another one around the corner." To answer your question about whether it is a good starter boat...so far, I can't think of anything that would have been better. My girlfriend can tell you I have been a bit obsessive about her so far...and I love it. She is great, good looking, accomodating, fun, fast (I am talking about the sailboat) I have gone sailing out on her just a few times, but I have learned a lot by winterizing her and playing around. Another consideration you may want to think about is that there are plenty of parts, plus Catalina is one of the few sailboat companies that has been around for some time, which means support. From the research I did before and since the purchase, there are very few sailboats that would be better starters. Having said that, many sailboats will be good starters, what is most important is your sailing instruction. Good luck and happy sailing Mark
Bill I purchased a 1981 tall rig/fin keel Catalina 25 in very good shape on the Chesapeake for a heck of a lot less than $10K...granted I bought her from someone who already had purchased a bigger boat and it was October (though the slip was paid till March). I know I got a great deal...but it wasn't that great a deal. There are various sites you can find Catalinas for sale, especially the sites mentioned above. Take your time, do your research, and if this one doesn't work out, you'll find another one...I was given this very wise advice, "used sailboats are like buses, there is always another one around the corner." To answer your question about whether it is a good starter boat...so far, I can't think of anything that would have been better. My girlfriend can tell you I have been a bit obsessive about her so far...and I love it. She is great, good looking, accomodating, fun, fast (I am talking about the sailboat) I have gone sailing out on her just a few times, but I have learned a lot by winterizing her and playing around. Another consideration you may want to think about is that there are plenty of parts, plus Catalina is one of the few sailboat companies that has been around for some time, which means support. From the research I did before and since the purchase, there are very few sailboats that would be better starters. Having said that, many sailboats will be good starters, what is most important is your sailing instruction. Good luck and happy sailing Mark
Check condition
I have to echo the thoughts about the condition of the boat. With older boats, condition is everything. If it's been very well maintained, with sails just a couple of years old, and maybe some upgraded hardware like ball bearing blocks, and well varnished teak, and polished hull that still has a bit of shine, then a higher price may be justfied. But if it has all original equipment and rigging, sailes over 6-7 years old, and faded woodwork and hull, then you should have a lot of bargaining power. There are many worn out boats around. You should only pay top dollar for a gem. The C25 is a great all around boat in my opinion. I sold our 1984 model in very good condition in 2000' for quite a bit less than $10,000, although it was a tall rig fixed keel model without a trailer.
I have to echo the thoughts about the condition of the boat. With older boats, condition is everything. If it's been very well maintained, with sails just a couple of years old, and maybe some upgraded hardware like ball bearing blocks, and well varnished teak, and polished hull that still has a bit of shine, then a higher price may be justfied. But if it has all original equipment and rigging, sailes over 6-7 years old, and faded woodwork and hull, then you should have a lot of bargaining power. There are many worn out boats around. You should only pay top dollar for a gem. The C25 is a great all around boat in my opinion. I sold our 1984 model in very good condition in 2000' for quite a bit less than $10,000, although it was a tall rig fixed keel model without a trailer.
Too expensive
You'll find a lot of similar age 25s in the $6-$8k range. Try the C25 website. There are a few posted there. There's even one in Delaware for $450.00. Not a typo.
You'll find a lot of similar age 25s in the $6-$8k range. Try the C25 website. There are a few posted there. There's even one in Delaware for $450.00. Not a typo.
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