I am interested in buying a used Catalina 250. However, though I have searched the internet high and low I cannot find more than a handful of 1990's models for sale. There are tons of 25's from the 70's and 80's. What's going on? Did Catalina go out of business in the late 80's and early 90's??
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That may be due to sales volume
I'm no expert on Catalina sales popularity, but this condition could be caused because the 250 hasn't been as popular as the 25. the number of boats bought new, of course, ultimately corresponds to the number of used boats on the market. Anybody have further insights?
I'm no expert on Catalina sales popularity, but this condition could be caused because the 250 hasn't been as popular as the 25. the number of boats bought new, of course, ultimately corresponds to the number of used boats on the market. Anybody have further insights?
Volume is right
1. The C250 wasn't introduced until May 1994. Many inital buyers have not had time to outgrow their boats and move up. 2. Smaller sized new boats have not been selling as well as in the past. 3. Over 6000 of the C25's were produced. All this leads to fewer of the C250's available on the used boat market compared to C25's.
1. The C250 wasn't introduced until May 1994. Many inital buyers have not had time to outgrow their boats and move up. 2. Smaller sized new boats have not been selling as well as in the past. 3. Over 6000 of the C25's were produced. All this leads to fewer of the C250's available on the used boat market compared to C25's.
Gap in Catalina production?
As said earlier, the Cat 250 is a fairly new boat. I actually like it mcuh better than the old 25, as far as trailer sailers go. On the production numbers: it seems like Catalina slowed its production of some of its smaller (18-25 ft) boats in the early to mid '90s. Case in point: My 1993 Capri 18 is #471. There's a 1998 Capri 18 in our Assn. that's #517. There have been about 590 boats built to date. A big gap shows up between 1993 and 1998 (only about 40 boats built in 5 years?). I think I'll contact Catalina and ask about this.
As said earlier, the Cat 250 is a fairly new boat. I actually like it mcuh better than the old 25, as far as trailer sailers go. On the production numbers: it seems like Catalina slowed its production of some of its smaller (18-25 ft) boats in the early to mid '90s. Case in point: My 1993 Capri 18 is #471. There's a 1998 Capri 18 in our Assn. that's #517. There have been about 590 boats built to date. A big gap shows up between 1993 and 1998 (only about 40 boats built in 5 years?). I think I'll contact Catalina and ask about this.
Too new . . . too few
I agree with Jon on a number of issues. Over 6000 C25s were produced between 1975 and 1990. The C250 began production in 1994 and now numbers over 500 hulls. Most of the early hulls were water-ballasted centerboard models while most of the recent hulls sport wing keels. I bought my water-ballasted C250 (#384) in July 1998 and it came off the line at the end of August that year. I am very happy with the boat . . . most of the folks I know who own the same model are equally happy with theirs. Moving up in size is my only motivation to sell. I don't think the C250 has been out there long enough for you to see a good resale market. The C25s I see for sale range in price from $6000-$10,000. The C250s have been more in the range of $18,000-$30,000. Quite a bit of difference.
I agree with Jon on a number of issues. Over 6000 C25s were produced between 1975 and 1990. The C250 began production in 1994 and now numbers over 500 hulls. Most of the early hulls were water-ballasted centerboard models while most of the recent hulls sport wing keels. I bought my water-ballasted C250 (#384) in July 1998 and it came off the line at the end of August that year. I am very happy with the boat . . . most of the folks I know who own the same model are equally happy with theirs. Moving up in size is my only motivation to sell. I don't think the C250 has been out there long enough for you to see a good resale market. The C25s I see for sale range in price from $6000-$10,000. The C250s have been more in the range of $18,000-$30,000. Quite a bit of difference.
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