Calling all Catalina 275 owners

[Codybear]

If anyone else has any experience or suggestions as I order a new 275, I would value your comments.

For some reason, I'm not getting notification of posts even though I'm watching the threads. Anyway, review "pimp" for any ideas. Also, Catalina claims they do not paint the inside, but they did on my boat and they've been doing it for years. Catalina is resistant to custom suggestions and should be thought as Ford cars and you get what you get. But I did get them to do a few minor things, but mostly leaving things out so I can put in my own. If you have any females on the boat, I really suggest the toilet I installed. Much better than the hand pump.

 

[drewlamparello]

I haven't been receiving any notices either... Good luck with Catalina... hope they are doing well under new leadership

 

[Boxing Roo]

Hi thanks for reaching out - the Queensland C275 is likely the only one to come up anytime soon, I will attempt to get a qute and see if its at all possible to move yachts interstate during our interesting current times
Really love the look of your Sapphire - great looking blue hull - I was hoping yours would be the one!
20 years ago, I chose a light blue paint scheme on my Alan Payne designed launch to go around the windows...
Can you point me in the direction of CodyBears blog that I think you referred to - sounds interesting. Thanks

Yeah the blue topside colour tends to sharply divide opinion - love it or hate it. Both Ciara and Sapphire were on the market same time so i had the option and went with Sapphire, in no small part down to a clear preference for the blue.

On basis Gretel was designed by Alan Payne and built by Halvorsen yard back in the day is that launch an old Halvorsen?

 

[deckout]

Yeah the blue topside colour tends to sharply divide opinion - love it or hate it. Both Ciara and Sapphire were on the market same time so i had the option and went with Sapphire, in no small part down to a clear preference for the blue.

On basis Gretel was designed by Alan Payne and built by Halvorsen yard back in the day is that launch an old Halvorsen?

She was originally built in1948 by shipwright - unknown name by D A Jefferies who owned the Rose Bay Marina for his own family use. My wife suggested we sell as It was costing $20k/yr in maintenance. It was purchased by Rozetta, Alans daughter and I am told gets a lot of use.

 

[Osterville]

Codybear,

Thank you. I learned to sail from Dempster Street beach in Evanston. Great to hear there is good sailing from Wilmette.

 

[Froudy]

Folks,

Just putting the word out.. thinking of selling Chipara sail #27. I have done nothing formal yet. I plan to put her on the hard soon as I have a broken arm (thank you j111 race boat) - message me if any interest.

 

[Codybear]

They say curiosity killed the cat. Is you next boat a cat or something else?

 

[Froudy]

lol codybear! So no decisions yet either way. Caught the racing bug this season so that has eaten into my personal boat time. Also totally spoiled as the j111 is brand new and we have a great crew. Another friend has suggested going into a partnership on a j70. We now have nine of them in the local club and race every week from May to October.

 

[Osterville]

Froudy, is your 275 wing keel?

 

[Froudy]

Hi Osterville - no just a regular fin keel

 

[Mike8074]

What are people's thoughts on a used 2015 hull that has only been in fresh water? It would have to move half way across the country and I would sail it on the lake here in Washington State. My other choices are a new First 27 or a J/9. Both of those would be new, so almost three times the money.

Thoughts?

 

[drewlamparello]

All boats require service, even new ones. If you buy new you still pay shipping, if you buy used then you pay for upgrades. a '15 will likely need new sails unless the PO just changed them... as far as a freshwater boat, the stainless will be pristine. My new main and 106 were about 5K...

Bottom line it depends on many factors you haven't mentioned. The boats purpose, and your budget. If your gonna race it the J will beat the 275 , but the rating will be reflected in same... the 275 is heavy for its size, but its a Catalina. I like the 275 and I race it, for fun, I find the boat meets my needs, so there is the bottom line...get the boat that meets your needs and budget... You can negotiate the price to account for its condition but certainly not on the new boat... Good luck

 

[Mike8074]

Thanks. I think I am good shape. I will need to evaluate the sails when I get the boat.

 

[Mike8074]

OK, here is the update. Survey happened today. Boat apparently shows as new. Some mildew in the lazerettes on the inside of the hull. Mostly because the boat was used do lightly.

The surveyor also noted that there is water in the rudder, which I guess is somewhat common. Fix is to drill holes in the bottom, let it drain out and then insert plugs. Local shop said not a big deal.

Otherwise, exciting.

One more question for this group. Has anyone ever installed a "below deck" autohelp in a 275?

Thanks

Mike

 

[cat guy]

I'm back...I purchased hull #2 in 2014. I have sailed it in northern Minnesota since new. there is only 1 regatta on Leach lake each year, over the years the local PHRF committee has raised my PHRF from the 130's to the mid 180's. I believe the upper 180's is a fair rating with a spin on a course with a reaching leg. my boat gets crained out every year. the Crain operators all say my boat weights just under 7000 pounds. (There have been several different Crains used). Has anyone had their boat weighed? FYI I am moving my boat out to Montana; I will keep you posted on the PHRF I get out there. (any other 275's in north west Montana?). Hoping to get in the NFLYC, they have an active PHRF fleet, and I will find out how my sailing skills really are...

 

[ChrisHonu]

New owner here in Southern California, wondering if this forum is still active.

Bought Hull #4 in August 2024, renamed her Fine Lines. She received rating of 180 non-spin and 168 spin. Seems low based on experience with her so far. Thoroughly enjoying her, came from a J24 and loving the extra room, so far performing as well as the J24 in Thursday Night Beer Can races.

Few questions for that I am having a hard time finding answers to. Catalina not responsive at all:

- Is the Doyle "spin" that came with the boat an Asymmetrical Spinnaker or a Code 0? I have seen it referred to as both.
- Has anyone added a preventer or boom brake to lock the boom out on downwind legs?
- Notice the lower shroud on the leeward side, under pressure in 8-10 knots starts sagging a lot. Get up to 15+ knots and the sage is comical. Is this normal? Have checked tension at rest and seems normal.

Hope there are still folks wanting to keep this thread alive and sharing.

 

[dlochner]

Welcome to SBO. In response to your questions:

- Has anyone added a preventer or boom brake to lock the boom out on downwind legs?

Adding either of these devices will add a level of complexity that is not really needed. The time and effort to set and remove them will interfere with all the other things going on when hoisting a spinnaker and dousing it. On smaller boats in lighter conditions we often used a human preventer. A crew member stands aft of the boom and leans on it, works as a preventer and vang.

- Notice the lower shroud on the leeward side, under pressure in 8-10 knots starts sagging a lot. Get up to 15+ knots and the sage is comical. Is this normal? Have checked tension at rest and seems normal.

General rig tuning, if this happens there is not enough tension on the shrouds. In 12 knots going up wind the shrouds should be soft but not sagging.

 

[PMK]

Hi Chris, here in Annapolis, my boat's rating for a random course is 174 spin, 183 non spin. For a W/L course, 177 spin, 180 non spin. That's with +9 for 106% RF headsail with suncover and with no adjustment for the prop. I replaced my fixed prop with a folding prop. A fixed prop would be another +9 adjustment. Numbers for J/24 are 174/174/171/171, with 150% headsail and no adjustment for RF or suncover.

Before adjusting shroud tension, check that the connections at the deck are correct. The lower shroud should be attached forward and the upper shroud attached aft. I use a Loos gauge for shroud tension. I don't recall the numbers, but I think around 12% breaking strength. Without the gauge, I would start with loose shrouds, tighten the lowers equally until reasonably tight, then the uppers. Tighten the lowers more than the uppers. Then go for a sail in ~12 knots of wind. Adjust shroud tension until just barely taut on each leeward side.

The spin provided with the boat is all purpose spin, not flat enough to considered a gennaker. It is also not full enough for deep wind angles. It's best at apparent wind angles 70 to 110 degrees. Also because it is cut for use on the furler, the luff is shorter than on a full spin. For racing, I have an A2 spinnaker which is much deeper and longer luff than the stock spin.