After two summeers with our 1973 Catalina 22 we are looking to move up.We love to available support for the C-22 .We will be mooring or on a slip on the west side of Lake Michigan.I'm going to look at a 25' O'day 25' Catalina and possibly a 28 Lancer.What would be the best choice and why?Fin keel or Shoal draft?We will probably be keeping it for 7 or 8 years.How much differance will this make?What other boats should be considered?
Looking to buy
- Thread starter Donald6441
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Why do you want a bigger boat?
Do you want a bigger boat for more stability in rough weather? For more room below? A real head? A real galley? The answers to these questions will point you towards appropriate choices. The Catalina 22 is a "big" small boat, especially the pop-top version. If you really want the "next" size up, you should be looking at boats bigger than 25 feet. As much as I love the Catalina 25 and the Oday 25, they aren't really that much bigger than the Catalina 22. The next real step up in size from these boats are those with standing headroom in the cabin; generally speaking you are looking at boats at least 26 feet long and probably 27 ft. Even though they may only be a foot or two longer than the Catalina 25, they weigh more and have more amenities. The smallest full headroom boat I can think of is the Pearson 26. A terrific boat that is a good value. there are lots of other choices, all of them a different compromise between stability, comfort, cabin size, amenities, etc. An honest self-evaluation of how you will use your new boat will make your choices much easier.
Do you want a bigger boat for more stability in rough weather? For more room below? A real head? A real galley? The answers to these questions will point you towards appropriate choices. The Catalina 22 is a "big" small boat, especially the pop-top version. If you really want the "next" size up, you should be looking at boats bigger than 25 feet. As much as I love the Catalina 25 and the Oday 25, they aren't really that much bigger than the Catalina 22. The next real step up in size from these boats are those with standing headroom in the cabin; generally speaking you are looking at boats at least 26 feet long and probably 27 ft. Even though they may only be a foot or two longer than the Catalina 25, they weigh more and have more amenities. The smallest full headroom boat I can think of is the Pearson 26. A terrific boat that is a good value. there are lots of other choices, all of them a different compromise between stability, comfort, cabin size, amenities, etc. An honest self-evaluation of how you will use your new boat will make your choices much easier.
Catalina 27, all the way
Move up to a C27, the outboard version. It's truly a 'big boat', very fast and stable, no worries about diesels or A4's...just pop out the outboard and go get is fixed or buy a new one. Standing headroom and good looking. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Move up to a C27, the outboard version. It's truly a 'big boat', very fast and stable, no worries about diesels or A4's...just pop out the outboard and go get is fixed or buy a new one. Standing headroom and good looking. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
More thoughts on C27 ...
I moved up last year from an O'Day 22 to a C27, and sailed a C25 extensively while I was looking. I like the things others have mentioned ... the headroom, real head, etc. But the most important (to ME) differenceis the way they sail. Both the 22 and the C25 are light enough they get knocked around in the chop and slop. As a previous poster mentioned, the C27 or another boat its size has enough displacement that it tracks more easily, and enough power in the sail plan to punch through stuff that makes the lighter boats wander. I really enjoy sailing it. The C25 is a nice boat, but wasn't enough difference. I sailed Lake Michigan for several years. If you sailed your C22 on the lake, you know about those lighter air days, two-foot chop, big power boat wakes, etc. And, of course you also know about those fronts that can come through and change the picture real fast. A bigger, more powerful boat is part of the answer. I want to both agree and disagree with rose ... the C27 IS just a beautiful boat. After two years, my heart still jumps as I walk down the dock and see her sitting there. For Lake Michigan, I think I disagree on the OB. My C27 has an EXTRA LONG shaft Honda 4-stroke OB. It has yet to cavitate when hobby horsing. I was worried about that when I bought it, but it hasn't been an issue ... ON AN INLAND LAKE. Going back to my Lake Michigan days, I don't think it would cavitate, but I'd be worried about it hanging back there in some or those short period, steep faced waves experienced as a following sea. For me, if I was moving up to a 27 footer used on Lake Michigan, I'd also move up to an inboard. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I moved up last year from an O'Day 22 to a C27, and sailed a C25 extensively while I was looking. I like the things others have mentioned ... the headroom, real head, etc. But the most important (to ME) differenceis the way they sail. Both the 22 and the C25 are light enough they get knocked around in the chop and slop. As a previous poster mentioned, the C27 or another boat its size has enough displacement that it tracks more easily, and enough power in the sail plan to punch through stuff that makes the lighter boats wander. I really enjoy sailing it. The C25 is a nice boat, but wasn't enough difference. I sailed Lake Michigan for several years. If you sailed your C22 on the lake, you know about those lighter air days, two-foot chop, big power boat wakes, etc. And, of course you also know about those fronts that can come through and change the picture real fast. A bigger, more powerful boat is part of the answer. I want to both agree and disagree with rose ... the C27 IS just a beautiful boat. After two years, my heart still jumps as I walk down the dock and see her sitting there. For Lake Michigan, I think I disagree on the OB. My C27 has an EXTRA LONG shaft Honda 4-stroke OB. It has yet to cavitate when hobby horsing. I was worried about that when I bought it, but it hasn't been an issue ... ON AN INLAND LAKE. Going back to my Lake Michigan days, I don't think it would cavitate, but I'd be worried about it hanging back there in some or those short period, steep faced waves experienced as a following sea. For me, if I was moving up to a 27 footer used on Lake Michigan, I'd also move up to an inboard. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
if you are going 27
If you are going 27 on Lake Michigan, you might as well go 30. The extra weight will make all the difference in the world when she gets rough.
If you are going 27 on Lake Michigan, you might as well go 30. The extra weight will make all the difference in the world when she gets rough.
Pearson 26
Don't overlook the P26. Also has an outboard but very stable and has a fin keel. Good ones can be had for 6-8k Tim R.
Don't overlook the P26. Also has an outboard but very stable and has a fin keel. Good ones can be had for 6-8k Tim R.
Don't ignore C
Timm, in the 27 foot range the above makes, along with Catalina, are amongst the most popular 27 footers around Lake Ontario. I second the opinions about buying at least a 27 footer. I would stay away from an OB.....many times I have followed an OB boat in large swells listening to his prop coming out of the water. I have a CS 27; they all came with very reliable Yanmar diesels and are a fast boat. C
Timm, in the 27 foot range the above makes, along with Catalina, are amongst the most popular 27 footers around Lake Ontario. I second the opinions about buying at least a 27 footer. I would stay away from an OB.....many times I have followed an OB boat in large swells listening to his prop coming out of the water. I have a CS 27; they all came with very reliable Yanmar diesels and are a fast boat. C
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