I currently own a hunter 23. (1988) I am thinking about getting a Catalina 25 with a swing keel (late 70's early 80's). Is this a mistake? I like the Hunter but I need a little more cabin space, a boat that will do better in heavier winds, trailable and under $10,000. I just want an honest answer. I know that some of you are more familiar with the Catalina than I am. Thanks
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Swell sailboat
I sailed a Catalina 25 for five years and found it to be lots of fun, easy to sail, inexpensive to operate. Consider a long shaft for the outboard instead of a short shaft, since long will come in handy if the water is choppy.
I sailed a Catalina 25 for five years and found it to be lots of fun, easy to sail, inexpensive to operate. Consider a long shaft for the outboard instead of a short shaft, since long will come in handy if the water is choppy.
I had owned a 1980 Catalina 25 but without the swing keel and found it to be a great boat. The previous owner had sailed her for 20 years before moving up to a Catalina 30. However a Catalina 25 still can't compare to a boat that you can actually stand up in! Good luck.
How 'bout O'Day
Quite a few years ago we wanted to move up to a trailerable 25 and from our C-22. We looked at O'Day and Catalina and found them to be very similar, decent boats. The only thing that pushed us to the O'Day was the Catalina had the heavy swing keel and the O'Day had the centerboard. With the 22 I already went through replacing the keel pivot and had to use bushings to keep the keel from banging from side to side. The O'Day didn't have any problems and the board gave you 6' when lowered. Most I ever had to do was to replace the pennant on the board. Other than that, the O'Day still has some really nice lines and if they still made it, I would consider having one. We have a H380 now. Enjoy your "new" boat.
Quite a few years ago we wanted to move up to a trailerable 25 and from our C-22. We looked at O'Day and Catalina and found them to be very similar, decent boats. The only thing that pushed us to the O'Day was the Catalina had the heavy swing keel and the O'Day had the centerboard. With the 22 I already went through replacing the keel pivot and had to use bushings to keep the keel from banging from side to side. The O'Day didn't have any problems and the board gave you 6' when lowered. Most I ever had to do was to replace the pennant on the board. Other than that, the O'Day still has some really nice lines and if they still made it, I would consider having one. We have a H380 now. Enjoy your "new" boat.
upgrade
Most Catalina sailboats do not have any mast raising and it would take several people to man handle the mast. As for a trailer for the boat, most of those for sale do not have a trailer and the cost of a new is not cheap. Check some of the web sites and you might find one with a trailer. I know of a couple but for respect of this forum, I cannot tell you who Iam or where I am at. Good luck in your search. Crazy Dave Condon
Most Catalina sailboats do not have any mast raising and it would take several people to man handle the mast. As for a trailer for the boat, most of those for sale do not have a trailer and the cost of a new is not cheap. Check some of the web sites and you might find one with a trailer. I know of a couple but for respect of this forum, I cannot tell you who Iam or where I am at. Good luck in your search. Crazy Dave Condon
4 Years
I had one for 4 years. It was an '84, but I didn't know the 25 had a swing keel option (22 did). I found the pop-top version to be great (roomy)and I could stand my 6'6" frame up when the top was up (anchored/moored). Even did some coastal cruising with it. I'd recommend it.
I had one for 4 years. It was an '84, but I didn't know the 25 had a swing keel option (22 did). I found the pop-top version to be great (roomy)and I could stand my 6'6" frame up when the top was up (anchored/moored). Even did some coastal cruising with it. I'd recommend it.
i'm in the same position as you
i currently have my H23 for sale 1985, however i'm shopping around for an H25. the cat 25 is rommy, ifr you go for he tall rig vs he standard rig, you'll get better speeds.
i currently have my H23 for sale 1985, however i'm shopping around for an H25. the cat 25 is rommy, ifr you go for he tall rig vs he standard rig, you'll get better speeds.
Reasons to Stay with H23
Lee, I'm going to defend the H23. I'm in the same position in terms of needing more cabin space (I own an '85 Hunter 23) for my Wife and 2 sons. I've spend a fair amount of time tuning the H23 and find it to be well balanced, well pointing but on the upper end of "ease of mast raising/trailering". I've sailed on numerous centerboard boats and dislike the clunking and the centerboard maintainence so I love the Wing Keel. Instead, what I've done is relook at the cabin space and how I could make it comfortable. I've solved the biggest obstacle of a private head space at night while still having all 4 bunks available (put the port-a-pottie where the companionway is and use a cheap Walmart curtain to seperate it). I also have a dodger/camp top mounted for head space. You might want to look in the archives for some books specifically on this topic such as "Sailing Big on a small boat" or " The Trailer sailor handbook" Good Luck whatever you do, Both H23 and CAT 25 are great boats!
Lee, I'm going to defend the H23. I'm in the same position in terms of needing more cabin space (I own an '85 Hunter 23) for my Wife and 2 sons. I've spend a fair amount of time tuning the H23 and find it to be well balanced, well pointing but on the upper end of "ease of mast raising/trailering". I've sailed on numerous centerboard boats and dislike the clunking and the centerboard maintainence so I love the Wing Keel. Instead, what I've done is relook at the cabin space and how I could make it comfortable. I've solved the biggest obstacle of a private head space at night while still having all 4 bunks available (put the port-a-pottie where the companionway is and use a cheap Walmart curtain to seperate it). I also have a dodger/camp top mounted for head space. You might want to look in the archives for some books specifically on this topic such as "Sailing Big on a small boat" or " The Trailer sailor handbook" Good Luck whatever you do, Both H23 and CAT 25 are great boats!
check out the Hunter 22
I have compared my h22 to O Day 25, Catalina 25 and Hunter 25. I think that my h22 has more usable room and more storage space than the for named boats. I have a photo of the interior. I hope it is transmited. Check out the h22.
I have compared my h22 to O Day 25, Catalina 25 and Hunter 25. I think that my h22 has more usable room and more storage space than the for named boats. I have a photo of the interior. I hope it is transmited. Check out the h22.
Attachments
Good advice Chuck
There are several other options that will keep you in the easy-to-trailer category, in fact all of these boats are easier to trailer than the H23. They include the Precision 23, Irwin 23, S2 6.9 and Hunter 26/260. All offer excellent performance and are quite affordable. Good luck with your search. Peter H23 "Raven"
There are several other options that will keep you in the easy-to-trailer category, in fact all of these boats are easier to trailer than the H23. They include the Precision 23, Irwin 23, S2 6.9 and Hunter 26/260. All offer excellent performance and are quite affordable. Good luck with your search. Peter H23 "Raven"
My two cents worth
I sailed our H26 one summer with two other swing keel 25’s. They were difficult to launch and didn’t have near the room of our H26. I’ll admit that after sailing upwind for over three hours – they were ahead by about 10 minutes. When it came to sailing downwind – we blew their socks off.
I sailed our H26 one summer with two other swing keel 25’s. They were difficult to launch and didn’t have near the room of our H26. I’ll admit that after sailing upwind for over three hours – they were ahead by about 10 minutes. When it came to sailing downwind – we blew their socks off.
DO NOT THINK OF A 25 TILL YOU SEE THE HUNTER 25.5
The 25.5 shoal draft boat is a far better boat than both the Catalina 25 and Oday 25. It is faster bigger (same displacement) and just a better boat. If you over look it it will be a mistake. We owned one and after selling it and buying a 28.5 we most of the time wish we still had the 25.5. Just for the reason of just being able to go other places on the trailor. We love the 28.5 but because of vaction time and we are pretty much lake locked on Lake Erie. DON"T PASS IT BY!! Cliff
The 25.5 shoal draft boat is a far better boat than both the Catalina 25 and Oday 25. It is faster bigger (same displacement) and just a better boat. If you over look it it will be a mistake. We owned one and after selling it and buying a 28.5 we most of the time wish we still had the 25.5. Just for the reason of just being able to go other places on the trailor. We love the 28.5 but because of vaction time and we are pretty much lake locked on Lake Erie. DON"T PASS IT BY!! Cliff
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