Some shopping questions (well, realistically, just slightly above dreaming questions). Likely these have all been answered many times before, but some of the other Seaward forums have disappeared, and Facebook search (of the Facebook group) isn't helping much. Links to existing discussions welcome.
Background: We're a family of 4; the kids are teenagers now, so we're also looking forward to cruising as a couple. We've cruised our Catalina 22 for ~10 years (best not to tell the C-22 forum I'm looking around
).
We sail primarily in the Salish Sea - San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, etc. We'll probably return to the South Sound some too, and we'd like to explore further north (Desolation Sound, etc.), the California Channel Islands, the Sea of Cortez, and perhaps even further afield, especially when we get to retirement.
We could do all of that in our C-22 (likely with a new trailer), but we're considering a move up to a Seaward 25 or 26rk (for a dedicated head, more headroom, a real dodger, cabin heat, etc.) So, a whole list of questions:
Background: We're a family of 4; the kids are teenagers now, so we're also looking forward to cruising as a couple. We've cruised our Catalina 22 for ~10 years (best not to tell the C-22 forum I'm looking around
).We sail primarily in the Salish Sea - San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, etc. We'll probably return to the South Sound some too, and we'd like to explore further north (Desolation Sound, etc.), the California Channel Islands, the Sea of Cortez, and perhaps even further afield, especially when we get to retirement.
We could do all of that in our C-22 (likely with a new trailer), but we're considering a move up to a Seaward 25 or 26rk (for a dedicated head, more headroom, a real dodger, cabin heat, etc.) So, a whole list of questions:
- Is there a comprehensive year-by-year list of changes available somewhere? E.g., "in 1997, the 25 cabin roof was raised and the stern-pulpit gate added"; "in 2010, the 26rk's keel bulb attachment system was redesigned", etc. If not, I'll post my own notes and edit as I get corrected, but hopefully there's a more authoritative source.
- My wife and I strongly prefer tiller steering, but wheels were apparently more popular. Does anyone have experience or description of a wheel-to-tiller conversion on a 25 or 26rk? Anything especially complex about removing the binnacle? If necessary, we'd consider RudderCraft's replacement rudders - we've been happy with the design on our C-22 (although we might modify to avoid the problems others have had).
- Do the 25 and/or 26rk have a vented propane locker? If not, any advice on where one might be retrofitted? (bonus points for photos of either a factory or DIY installation)
- Do the 25 or 26rk tend to sail bow- or stern-heavy? Are there preferred locations for batteries, additional tankage, chain, etc. to compensate for any natural imbalance? Again, bonus points for photos of battery installations, etc.
- What is the actual minimum draft of the 26rk? I've seen 2'0" from some sources and 18" from others. Presumably it would sit lower on the trailer and float on/off much easier at 18" than 2' (perhaps even easier than our shorter C-22 at 2' draft).
- How much rode can the chain locker comfortably hold? The Salish Sea tends to deep anchorages and huge tidal swings; we currently carry ~300' of rode, and would do the same in a Seaward (probably ~50' of chain + 250-300' of 1/2" nylon).
- Are there preferred installation location(s) for additional electrical systems - e.g. solar and shore-power chargers, AIS transponder, fuel vapor and CO alarms, ... ? I know the stock DC panel is in the galley - is there sufficient room in that cabinet for additional systems? Or a better location to hide some bulkier additions?
- Is the bowsprit spec'd for the load of a Cruising Code Zero? (I.e., a near reaching asymmetric on a furler). Any experience flying a C0, either inside the bow pulpit (are the sail shape and chafe acceptable?) Or via an extendable sprit? We LOVE the C0 on our C-22, and we'd definitely want to do something similar (perhaps starting by just moving over our current 278 ft^2 sail and furler - the 25/26 could handle a larger kite, but our current one would probably work).
- For anyone with an outboard-powered model: Is the transom sturdy enough to tow comfortably with the outboard mounted? How is the stock trailer balanced / how does that affect tongue weight? We trailer with our 6 HP OB on a tongue mount (for extra tongue weight while towing). But lugging a 90-110 lb OB back and forth might be more than my back can manage.