I am trying to make a decision regarding which make and model sailboat to buy. The boat will be docked on a freshwater lake in Southern California and will be used by my wife and I and our three small children. I have looked into the Catalina 25, MacGregor 25, and Oday 24&25. I really like having the trailer option so that I can put it in and take it out myself - saving money - not to mention being able to work on it in my driveway. And, with kids I really like having the private head option too. But I don't want something too small, like the 22's. Could anyone recomend a couple of specific models for me? Thanks!
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Boat Selection
Take a look at the Hunter 260. Check these web sites: Also check the the review of this boat at: http://pws.chartermi.net/~gkobernus/H260_Web/review.htm Here's some stats to consider: http://pws.chartermi.net/~gkobernus/H260_Web/specs.html
Take a look at the Hunter 260. Check these web sites: Also check the the review of this boat at: http://pws.chartermi.net/~gkobernus/H260_Web/review.htm Here's some stats to consider: http://pws.chartermi.net/~gkobernus/H260_Web/specs.html
Hunter 25.5 , best boat in the size
Take a look at the Hunter 25.5. Shoal draft for trailering if you plan float it on and off. If is faster then the Catalina and ODay 25's and will sail circles around the Hunter 260. It is a big boat to trailer but if you are doing it once twice a year not a big deal. Best boat in this size range wide open decks foot wider the the other's one terrfic boat. If you over look it then you have made your 1st mistake. Cliff
Take a look at the Hunter 25.5. Shoal draft for trailering if you plan float it on and off. If is faster then the Catalina and ODay 25's and will sail circles around the Hunter 260. It is a big boat to trailer but if you are doing it once twice a year not a big deal. Best boat in this size range wide open decks foot wider the the other's one terrfic boat. If you over look it then you have made your 1st mistake. Cliff
My opinion on Hunter 25.5.
I have a Hunter 25.5 shoal keel and could not be more pleased. Boat sails great, points high (considering its shallow draft), has a really wide deck with good footing, a very large cabin for a 25, very wide beam for a 25. The pop top allows for a low deck for good visibility from the cockpit, yet when the top is up, 6'6" headroom in the cabin. Lots of teak in the cabin. There are a lot of reviews available on the Hunter 25.5 page on www.hunterowners.com
I have a Hunter 25.5 shoal keel and could not be more pleased. Boat sails great, points high (considering its shallow draft), has a really wide deck with good footing, a very large cabin for a 25, very wide beam for a 25. The pop top allows for a low deck for good visibility from the cockpit, yet when the top is up, 6'6" headroom in the cabin. Lots of teak in the cabin. There are a lot of reviews available on the Hunter 25.5 page on www.hunterowners.com
H26
We had the same boat dilemma. It had to be roomy enough for our 9 year old (plus a friend) and a four year old. We wanted something easy to launch, trailer-able, and keep in dry dock at the marina. Our original purchase was an H23.5, we liked the boat, but it was too small. The next season we purchased an H26 (lesson learned) and have been very pleased with it. It is much easier to trailer with the tandem axle. It may not be the fastest boat on the lake, but it is comfortable and stable. Sails best in about 10 MPH winds. I recommend an open transom for easier boarding when the kids swim. From a woman's perspective, an enclosed head is a necessity and stern rail seats are a close second. Hope this helps.
We had the same boat dilemma. It had to be roomy enough for our 9 year old (plus a friend) and a four year old. We wanted something easy to launch, trailer-able, and keep in dry dock at the marina. Our original purchase was an H23.5, we liked the boat, but it was too small. The next season we purchased an H26 (lesson learned) and have been very pleased with it. It is much easier to trailer with the tandem axle. It may not be the fastest boat on the lake, but it is comfortable and stable. Sails best in about 10 MPH winds. I recommend an open transom for easier boarding when the kids swim. From a woman's perspective, an enclosed head is a necessity and stern rail seats are a close second. Hope this helps.
Ask for NEGATIVE input
You've made a good start with Catalina 25, MacGregor 25, and Oday 24&25, but I would add the Hunter, even though I don't like water ballasts myself. Wit that list though, I would ask for input from people that owned and DIDN'T like any of those models, and why. You'll find that most people, when they get a boat they like, will stick with it. That means they like theirs, but really don't know much about the others. I really like my 1976 O'Day 25 centerboard, but wouldn't be able to give a good comparison to the others, since I don't own them. I will say the O'Day 25 is very comfortable for a trailerable boat. However, it's not really very "trailerable" compared to say, my brother's Rhodes 22. But, I like the comprimise of "a little harder to set up to trailer, harder to drag around, but much more comfortable when we finally get there"
You've made a good start with Catalina 25, MacGregor 25, and Oday 24&25, but I would add the Hunter, even though I don't like water ballasts myself. Wit that list though, I would ask for input from people that owned and DIDN'T like any of those models, and why. You'll find that most people, when they get a boat they like, will stick with it. That means they like theirs, but really don't know much about the others. I really like my 1976 O'Day 25 centerboard, but wouldn't be able to give a good comparison to the others, since I don't own them. I will say the O'Day 25 is very comfortable for a trailerable boat. However, it's not really very "trailerable" compared to say, my brother's Rhodes 22. But, I like the comprimise of "a little harder to set up to trailer, harder to drag around, but much more comfortable when we finally get there"
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