Fin or Swing?

[Kper]

Looking at two C25's tomorrow - one is an 86 SK with dinette and professional built trailer and the other is an 82 FK traditional layout with home-made but usable trailer. Both are priced inexpensively but the FK is considerably cheaper but a but rougher.

My question is should the SK effect my decision in any way with the added maintenance of a SK?

 

[kito]

Depends on how and where you plan to sail it. Keeping in a slip or trailering it all the time. Depth of lake and depth of water at the slip. I like my swing keel C22 for trailering and getting in and out of thin waters. It's also great for boat ramps that are shallow where a fk would have the truck in the water even with an extension.....worst yet, trailer falling off the end of the ramp slab. Imo, swing keel is ideal for lake sailing and trailering.

 

[Kper]

We're sailing on a lake without a depth issue but there is no hoist to put in. The lake can be low at times making put in a bit challenging. There are 2 other lakes within an hour with better amenities but we are 5 minutes from the marina here and it's the largest of the 3 lakes.

Both boats have an array of equipment but not similarly equipped. For example, one has self tailing winches while the other has nice electronics. I live in an area where boats seem to demand a high price which is why I am traveling half a day to inspect these two boats. I think I may be losing my mind because I am seriously considering purchasing both boats, equipping the one I want with all the best equipment from the two and selling the other. It's fair to say that if these boats are in a condition anywhere near what has been described and the photos show that I should be able to quickly get at least what I paid if I were to remove some equipment and advertise. Healthy market here for boats under $4k with a trailer. Somebody bring me back to reality.

 

[markwbird]

fin keel

I had a C25 with a swing keel and a standard rig. I like to race so I finally got rid of it. It just did not sail very well. Even if you don't want to race, a boat that sails well is more fun than one that doesn't. After all, that is why we do this.

 

[captcoho]

The swing keel is 1550 lbs and at least 29 cranks to raise.
I always got concerned in rough conditions with all the weight of the keel swinging. It does not lock down like the C 22, but swings on similar lifting hardware.
I had installed an electric winch to raise and lower the keel. Worked great.
If I were to do it again, I would prefer a wing keel.
We kept the boat in dry sail at the marina, by the time I hooked up the trailer, got to the ramp, the crew had everything rigged and ready . (It was less than a thousand yards away.) Launch and retrieve with my short bed 1/2 ton pick-up was a breeze.
I just never felt comfortable with that keel swinging away in 20 kt + winds and four to six foot waves, and heeled over at twenty degrees. imho
We did trailer at least once a season two hundred miles up north and back with no problems.

 

[Kper]

Purchased the SK. It's in extremely good condition, something I wasn't expecting and for $3300 with a trailer, excellent spinaker, 110 and 150 head sails, a main cover and new poptop cover. The hull doesn't have any dock rash and the deck looks better than any C25 I've been on. Interior cushions are excellent and interior wood is very presentable. Bottom is blister free and comes with a gallon of new bottom paint. The boat is unmolested by previous owners, also. Looks like the 760 mile round trip today was worth it... finally.

The FK/TR with home made trailer is only $2k but I don't know if I want 2 boats. Still pondering.

 

[Picflight]

Congratulations! Enjoy the boat.

 

[captcoho]

congratulations on the new boat sounds like a fantastic deal I know you're going to enjoy it

 

[Kper]

Thanks everyone.

The FK is still for sale if anyone is interested - I looked and can give some info on it. It's in the St Louis craigslist.