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Bob Camarena
Have you considered a 27?
If you're considering a fin keel 25, you should think about getting a Catalina 27 instead. It's a much better boat. In my opinion, the main advantage of a 25 is trailerability, but only with the swing keel. The 27 is larger (but not so much as to be intimidating), not that much more expensive and sails much better.
If you're considering a fin keel 25, you should think about getting a Catalina 27 instead. It's a much better boat. In my opinion, the main advantage of a 25 is trailerability, but only with the swing keel. The 27 is larger (but not so much as to be intimidating), not that much more expensive and sails much better.
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Don
25 or 27?
I was looking for a Catalina 27 when I happened upon a Cat 25 fin keel at an unbelieveable price so I bought it. True, the 27 has standing headroom and is beamier, shower...etc, but the 25 fit my needs better. Most of my sailing(95%) is daysailing singlehanded with an occasional overnight and maybe a weeklong cruise thrown in so the 25 fits my needs. Additionally, since boat speed is somewhat dependant on LWL(longer equals faster), the 25 is technically a faster boat than the 27 since it's LWL is greater than the 27 and if you find a 25 tall rig it utilizes the same mast as the 27. Also, most 25's are outboard driven, whereas the 27's mostly have an older gasoline inboard which I've heard is something to be careful of. Each of the boats have their good and bad points, it just depends on what you need your boat to do and how much money you want to spend.
I was looking for a Catalina 27 when I happened upon a Cat 25 fin keel at an unbelieveable price so I bought it. True, the 27 has standing headroom and is beamier, shower...etc, but the 25 fit my needs better. Most of my sailing(95%) is daysailing singlehanded with an occasional overnight and maybe a weeklong cruise thrown in so the 25 fits my needs. Additionally, since boat speed is somewhat dependant on LWL(longer equals faster), the 25 is technically a faster boat than the 27 since it's LWL is greater than the 27 and if you find a 25 tall rig it utilizes the same mast as the 27. Also, most 25's are outboard driven, whereas the 27's mostly have an older gasoline inboard which I've heard is something to be careful of. Each of the boats have their good and bad points, it just depends on what you need your boat to do and how much money you want to spend.
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
What specifically are you concerned about
Catalinas are good boats. Sure, some years may have been slightly better than others but not significantly. I mean, the keel isn't going to fall off in one particular year. If you like the boat and it's a good deal, get it. If you're concerned, have it surveyed. LaDonna
Catalinas are good boats. Sure, some years may have been slightly better than others but not significantly. I mean, the keel isn't going to fall off in one particular year. If you like the boat and it's a good deal, get it. If you're concerned, have it surveyed. LaDonna
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Bob Camarena
C-27 is Faster
If you check out the PHRF ratings that are assigned to the two boats you'll see that the C-27 is clearly the faster boat. In SF bay, the C-25 Tall rig, fixed keel rates at 216 while a C-27 Tall rig rates at 201. A C-27 w/an outboard rates at 198. If I remember correctly, the PHRF rating is in terms of seconds handicap per mile. Therefore a boat rating 216 would be rated 18 seconds per mile slower than one rated 198. Rates vary from one part of the country to another. My choice would be the C-27 with an outboard, traditional layout in either a standard or tall rig, depending on local conditions (light wind=tall, heavy wind=standard). You's appreciate the extra room especially if you plan on overnighting onboard frequently.
If you check out the PHRF ratings that are assigned to the two boats you'll see that the C-27 is clearly the faster boat. In SF bay, the C-25 Tall rig, fixed keel rates at 216 while a C-27 Tall rig rates at 201. A C-27 w/an outboard rates at 198. If I remember correctly, the PHRF rating is in terms of seconds handicap per mile. Therefore a boat rating 216 would be rated 18 seconds per mile slower than one rated 198. Rates vary from one part of the country to another. My choice would be the C-27 with an outboard, traditional layout in either a standard or tall rig, depending on local conditions (light wind=tall, heavy wind=standard). You's appreciate the extra room especially if you plan on overnighting onboard frequently.
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Kevin
25' Owner
Pat, I purchased a '79 25' Cat a few years ago. I had sailed a 27' (twice) while boat shoping. I like my 25 and have no regrets. I had sailed small "fish" as a kid, +20 years ago and a friends Potter the year before I bought Hermes, so I knew I wanted to keep it small (and cheap) so I could get a feel for what I really wanted. 25' was big enough to weekend but small in terms of sailing and budget. After 3 yrs, glad I did not go for the 27', my next boat will likely be in the +30 range now that confidence is building and sailing weekends are becoming the norm... Kevin
Pat, I purchased a '79 25' Cat a few years ago. I had sailed a 27' (twice) while boat shoping. I like my 25 and have no regrets. I had sailed small "fish" as a kid, +20 years ago and a friends Potter the year before I bought Hermes, so I knew I wanted to keep it small (and cheap) so I could get a feel for what I really wanted. 25' was big enough to weekend but small in terms of sailing and budget. After 3 yrs, glad I did not go for the 27', my next boat will likely be in the +30 range now that confidence is building and sailing weekends are becoming the norm... Kevin
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Chris Gonzales
Wasn't crazy about the way mine sailed...
I had a Capri 25 and a Catalina 22 before my '88 C25. Though probably equal to the 22 in many ways, of the three boats I felt the 25 sailed the worst. Now, after having my C30 for a little more than a year I can say I have owned three boats that sailed better than the 25. As mentioned, if trailering is important, the 25 is a great boat for that and pretty comodious below decks for a 25. But in my opinion, a 25 just doesn't sail as well I would have hoped. Why? A little tender, not as fast, and would not point as well. To me, the 25 was an overall "less stable" feeling boat in moderate to heavy conditions. Chris
I had a Capri 25 and a Catalina 22 before my '88 C25. Though probably equal to the 22 in many ways, of the three boats I felt the 25 sailed the worst. Now, after having my C30 for a little more than a year I can say I have owned three boats that sailed better than the 25. As mentioned, if trailering is important, the 25 is a great boat for that and pretty comodious below decks for a 25. But in my opinion, a 25 just doesn't sail as well I would have hoped. Why? A little tender, not as fast, and would not point as well. To me, the 25 was an overall "less stable" feeling boat in moderate to heavy conditions. Chris
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Herb Tripp
Thoughts on 82 25 Catalina
I am an owner of a 1982 Catalina 25, and have been very satisfied with the boat. We recently completed a 3,000 mile cruise from Havre de Grace MD to Key West FL and back again with no problems. The boat is comfortable for two, sails reasonably well; it is a bit tender, but reducing sail will compensate for that. Our Catalina has a 7.5 hp Mercury outboard, which is sufficient power; however a four stroke 8hp is the way to go. On our cruise the fuel savings would have gone a long way toward paying for a new motor, not to mention the reduction in the cockpit noise level underway.
I am an owner of a 1982 Catalina 25, and have been very satisfied with the boat. We recently completed a 3,000 mile cruise from Havre de Grace MD to Key West FL and back again with no problems. The boat is comfortable for two, sails reasonably well; it is a bit tender, but reducing sail will compensate for that. Our Catalina has a 7.5 hp Mercury outboard, which is sufficient power; however a four stroke 8hp is the way to go. On our cruise the fuel savings would have gone a long way toward paying for a new motor, not to mention the reduction in the cockpit noise level underway.
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