Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 250 by Rick

Year built	1996
Location of boat	lake Michigan
The boat is sailed on	The Great Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	less than 10 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2002
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, I was looking at a Hunter 23.5 and a Catalina 22. I enjoy the extra room in the cockpit over the Hunter and the privacy of the head over the Catalina 22.
Gear that's been added	Am-Fm stereo and a 6 disc changer.
Structural or complex improvements	none
The boat's best features	Ease of trailering. I pull it with a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer. Launch and retrieval are very easy.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Excessive weather helm tends to round you up. Not quite as bad when reefed.
Sailing characterisitcs	With the 110 jib it doesn't perform well in light air. I am thinking of adding a spinnacher w/ chute
Motoring characterisitcs	Honda 9.9 long shaft performs well.
Liveability	I have mostly day sailed since owning. I have spent the night aboard at the slip a few times and found it to be Comfortable for Two adults and a child or two.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I have dealt with Catalina Direct for parts but not with Catalina in general.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	The broker Trailered the boat 250 miles for me then rigged it and launched it for me. I was very happy with the Sail Place Inc. In Waukegan IL.
Other comments	Nice boat for the money. I will probably stay with Catalina when I am ready to move up. It is nice to have a manufacture still in business If you need parts or assistance.

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