Currently I own an O'Day 22 and am looking to move up. I trail my boat 35 miles twice a year with a Chevy Astro and moor it for the season. One of the big considerations in moving up is cost of ownership. By staying within the "trailable" range, I can avoid the cost of winter storage. The C25, from my research, is probably the biggest cruising boat that I can effectively trailer. My other option is to accept the additional cost of a bigger boat and move up to a 30' racer/cruiser. I could be quite happy with a C25 but have some reservations when I read professional reviews on it's sailing performance. In short, they don't consider performance the 25's major asset. I'm interested to hear from some owners. I am most interested in the tall rig with a swing keel. How does she point? Is the swing keel effective high into the wind? How does she perform in light air? How much weather helm to you experience in different wind speeds. Any and all comments about her sailing performance are most appreciated. Thanks. dt
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Mike Turner
C25's a Nice Boat
David - I owned an '79 C25 (standard rig, swing keel)for a year on the Potomac River in DC, and moved up to a C30 when I came out to the West Coast. She was my first "big" boat; I moved up from an O'Day Daysailor. For my money I thought the C25 was a great boat. She pointed well (I had to do a lot of tacking in the river, many times while contending with current) and sailed well in light air, which was pretty standard for my area. I can't really comment on heavy weather sailing in her but I was occasionally in winds of 15 knots or so in some chop (again, in the river) and felt confident sailing her. I didn't trailer her so I can't comment there. This is just my opinion, but I've found that some of the reviewers of sailboats in general mark boats down that aren't performance oriented (which sometimes I think translates into fast but tender); and specifically begrudge Catalinas. It's true their not "performers" but they're designed to combine good performance with lots of room and value, which I think they accomplish very well. Bottom line for me: if I went back to river sailing the C25 would be high on my list. Mike Turner C30 "Amity" Long Beach, CA
David - I owned an '79 C25 (standard rig, swing keel)for a year on the Potomac River in DC, and moved up to a C30 when I came out to the West Coast. She was my first "big" boat; I moved up from an O'Day Daysailor. For my money I thought the C25 was a great boat. She pointed well (I had to do a lot of tacking in the river, many times while contending with current) and sailed well in light air, which was pretty standard for my area. I can't really comment on heavy weather sailing in her but I was occasionally in winds of 15 knots or so in some chop (again, in the river) and felt confident sailing her. I didn't trailer her so I can't comment there. This is just my opinion, but I've found that some of the reviewers of sailboats in general mark boats down that aren't performance oriented (which sometimes I think translates into fast but tender); and specifically begrudge Catalinas. It's true their not "performers" but they're designed to combine good performance with lots of room and value, which I think they accomplish very well. Bottom line for me: if I went back to river sailing the C25 would be high on my list. Mike Turner C30 "Amity" Long Beach, CA
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Tim
Great Boat!
I owned a 1985 Cat 25 for 15 trouble free, fun years. Only sold her because the kids got bigger. I agree with what was said in the other post. I'll add that with a reefed mainsail the swing keel model performs very well. We took her to Catalina Island many times without problems. She trailers beautifully and launching is a piece of cake. Just make sure to have a keel guide on the trailer and the boat just drives up easily. Also, drop the keel onto the trailer BEFORE you pull out of the water. By the way, I think we bought her for about $15,000 new including the trailer. We sold her for $10,000 after 15 years. Good luck; have fun.
I owned a 1985 Cat 25 for 15 trouble free, fun years. Only sold her because the kids got bigger. I agree with what was said in the other post. I'll add that with a reefed mainsail the swing keel model performs very well. We took her to Catalina Island many times without problems. She trailers beautifully and launching is a piece of cake. Just make sure to have a keel guide on the trailer and the boat just drives up easily. Also, drop the keel onto the trailer BEFORE you pull out of the water. By the way, I think we bought her for about $15,000 new including the trailer. We sold her for $10,000 after 15 years. Good luck; have fun.
It all depends
Your questions are good but difficult to answer. Lighter boats almost always do better in light air. I have a C25 (fin keel), moved up from a 21 ft Venture. I gave up something in light air, in all other categories the C25 wins hands down. Pointing and weatherhelm have a lot to do with tunning the standing rigging, sail condition, trim, etc. I believe in 1988 Catalina modified the rudder so that it cuts back in under the transom. This made a tremendous improvement in weatherhelm. Now that I have my C25 tuned I can point up with most all boats and she's sweet in heavy air. Again, rigging and sailtrim make all the difference. It's a great boat and you can still get every part made for every Catlina made, that is worth a lot.
Your questions are good but difficult to answer. Lighter boats almost always do better in light air. I have a C25 (fin keel), moved up from a 21 ft Venture. I gave up something in light air, in all other categories the C25 wins hands down. Pointing and weatherhelm have a lot to do with tunning the standing rigging, sail condition, trim, etc. I believe in 1988 Catalina modified the rudder so that it cuts back in under the transom. This made a tremendous improvement in weatherhelm. Now that I have my C25 tuned I can point up with most all boats and she's sweet in heavy air. Again, rigging and sailtrim make all the difference. It's a great boat and you can still get every part made for every Catlina made, that is worth a lot.
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Joshua Heard
They're plenty fast
When I bought mine, I thought it would be a tub. However, it sails fine in all conditions. I was sailing against my friends "fast" Santana 25, and I kept up with him for miles. Catalina's probably aren't competitive racers, but I can can keep up with practically every boat in my harbor. It's not slow. If you want performance, buy a J boat.
When I bought mine, I thought it would be a tub. However, it sails fine in all conditions. I was sailing against my friends "fast" Santana 25, and I kept up with him for miles. Catalina's probably aren't competitive racers, but I can can keep up with practically every boat in my harbor. It's not slow. If you want performance, buy a J boat.
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Don
Cost
"One of the big considerations in moving up is cost of ownership. By staying within the "trailable" range, I can avoid the cost of winter storage." - David Telep I used to own a trailerable Venture 25 and now have a Catalina 25 fixed keel. My winter storage fee for my Catalina 25 fixed keel is $320.00 that includes haulout, wash, and splashdown in the spring. Not only is this cheaper than owning a trailerable boat, it is a whole lot easier. Since I no longer have a trailer, I don't need to register and license it every year, perform preventative maintenance, provide storage for it when the boat was in the water, etc. In addition, if your are trailing you must have a proper tow vehicle. For a 6,000 to 7,000 LB towing load you need a pretty capable tow vehicle. Along with the initial expense of this tow vehicle, you again have its ancillary costs of plates, insurance, low gas mileage($$$), maintenance, etc. Now we get to off-season storage for the boat for those who have to haul out during winter. If you are not able to store the boat on your property then you'll have to pay to store your boat somewhere anyway. If I were you I would investigate winter storing options at your marina before making a purchase.
"One of the big considerations in moving up is cost of ownership. By staying within the "trailable" range, I can avoid the cost of winter storage." - David Telep I used to own a trailerable Venture 25 and now have a Catalina 25 fixed keel. My winter storage fee for my Catalina 25 fixed keel is $320.00 that includes haulout, wash, and splashdown in the spring. Not only is this cheaper than owning a trailerable boat, it is a whole lot easier. Since I no longer have a trailer, I don't need to register and license it every year, perform preventative maintenance, provide storage for it when the boat was in the water, etc. In addition, if your are trailing you must have a proper tow vehicle. For a 6,000 to 7,000 LB towing load you need a pretty capable tow vehicle. Along with the initial expense of this tow vehicle, you again have its ancillary costs of plates, insurance, low gas mileage($$$), maintenance, etc. Now we get to off-season storage for the boat for those who have to haul out during winter. If you are not able to store the boat on your property then you'll have to pay to store your boat somewhere anyway. If I were you I would investigate winter storing options at your marina before making a purchase.
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Joerg K
Cost and benefits
David, winter storage should be a smaller concern. I paid $375 for hauling, winter storage, and launch in the spring, and assume that is normal. If the C25 requires a bigger car for you, don't trailer it. As to performance, I agree with other posts, the C25 keeps up with most boats and beats a fair number of them. The C25 is a lot of fun! (see attached: "Second Wind" '86 SR/SK)
David, winter storage should be a smaller concern. I paid $375 for hauling, winter storage, and launch in the spring, and assume that is normal. If the C25 requires a bigger car for you, don't trailer it. As to performance, I agree with other posts, the C25 keeps up with most boats and beats a fair number of them. The C25 is a lot of fun! (see attached: "Second Wind" '86 SR/SK)
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Joerg K
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Mike Patterson
I think you will find that a C25 will point as well as most boats ie. capri 22 s2 7.9 I have roller furling and still point very well. It is not a slow boat by any means except in light air it's heavy and take awhile to accelerate.
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