C&C 25 Mark I input/Advice

[jproppe]

Hi there ...

Im in the process of purchasing my first sailboat. I am an experienced "crew member" but would consider myself to be an overall beginner sailor that sails cautiously. My experience in sailing thus far has been on an O'Day 25 (keel centreboard, with a draft of 24" CB up, 4' CB down.)

Im comfortable with light to mid winds, moderate heeling and looking for a nice weekend cursor. I am more interested in overall weekend comfort and cursing stability over racing. I will be sailing primarily solo, or with my boys (aged 11 & 13.)

I am interested in purchasing a 1973 C & C Mark I. I have seen and sailed the boat, it is in really excellent condition, comes with many new sails, some modern instrumentations and a new marine head and tanks. (Link to ad: 1973 C & C Mark I )

Questions / Advice please .... specifically:

#1. Is $5,900 a fair price, considering the boat has no rolling furling, no stereo, no shore power and no trailer?

#2. I test sailed it on a fairly windy day (I believe wind gusts up to 30 knots) and white capped water) so the boat FLEW but really heeled. (As a beginner, it scared me a bit.) Is the C&C 25 generally stable? Forgiving? Does it tend to always heel?

#3. Im looking for a boat to grow in, but will likely never race her (.... who knows though...) Was the C & C 24 built more for racing or cursing?

#4. Overall impressions of the C & C 25 Mark I. Any current owners have any input/review of their boat?

#5. Is this a suitable boat to learn on and grow with?

Thanks! http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...ats-1973-C-C-25ft-sailboat-W0QQAdIdZ401264729

 

[31seahorse]

Hello jproppe,
You might check the sailboatowners, yachtworld, and other online boats for sale sites for info/pictures of other C&C 25 MK 1 for sale. That would show equipment and condition and price information that you could use to judge your purchase. Also, do a search for the C&C 25 and you will probably find a review (or even several) as a choice from your search engine. Reading those posts could be a start until you find a response from a person sailing one now.
Enjoy the hunt!

 

[Ted]

The C&C 25 mkI is an excellent boat for boat learning and growing with. They are very good quality boats and tend to hold their value well. There are about 15 C&C 25's in our club and most of them are actively raced. All sailboats heel but the 25 is a fairly stable boat considering her size. If you were really in 30 knots of wind, expect any boat to heel a lot. It would also depend on what size headsail was up and if the main was reefed. I've raced on a few 25 mkI 's and found them to be responsive and well mannered. They can handle strong winds and chop easily. The 25 is definitely worth serious consideration. Check out the www.cncphotoalbum.com site if you haven't already done so. There is a wealth of information there.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I, too, think the mid-70's C&C 25 is an excellent boat with great sailing characteristics. Friend of mine owned one for 20 yrs and we sailed on it together a lot and in all kinds of weather on the Chesapeake. We just returned from a 65-mile trip to deliever this fine old boat to its new owner. A great trip in a great boat. Yet I think $5,900 for a '73 may be a bit overpriced. My friend's boat was a well equipped '76 with newish sails and roller furler (but no trailer), a 9.9 electric start OB, and sold for $4,500, a good price. I also owned and sailed a C&C 24 (Niagra) for many years. It is a very different boat than the 1 foot longer 25. Although it has bit deeper keel, I do not think it as stable as the 25 in serious weather which may also result from its flat bottom and beam-to-length ratio. I think the 24 is more of a cruiser than the 25, but both are really good sailing boats and would make an excellent starter if in good condition. Get a qualified surveyor to look over this boat.

 

[Ted]

I agree with Warren regarding the C&C 24 vs 25. The sailing characteristics of the 25 make it feel like more than a foot longer than the 24. I've sailed and raced on both. Regarding the price, it all depends on the condition of the boat and how it is equiped. Good quality sails can easily cost a few thousand dollars for that boat. Spend some time looking at similar boats and you'll begin to see that the well maintained/fitted boats tend to demand a higher price. It's difficult to place a value on a boat based strictly on the model and year.