Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 250 by Zetta Hadden

Year built	1997
Location of boat	Fresno, California
The boat is sailed on	Press here and select one
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	6
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1997
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I proably wouldn,t buy this boat again. There is a rather distinct problem with weather helm. An article in magazine published for Catalina owners indicated that this was a problem with the 250 and that Catalina had made adjustments to the rudder length. I sent my rudder to Woodland Hills, CA they made the engineering changes to the plates holding the rudder and sent it back to me. The problem still exists and their only explanation is that I have a beaching rudder on my boat and maybe that makes a difference. This is hardly the reaction I was hoping for.
Gear that's been added	I am looking to add a cruising spinnaker asap!
Structural or complex improvements	No
The boat's best features	It is a great family boat! It is the
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	As I stated before, the rudder modifications done by Catalina for me have been very disappointing.
Sailing characterisitcs	The boat handles wonderfully in light winds but can experience weather helm problems in moderate winds.
Motoring characterisitcs	I motor with a 9 horse longshaft Honda engine and it works great.
Liveability	My boat would be very livable I am not inclined to want to experience that livabilty though.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I am not so sure I would but another boat in Northern CA. I would probably go to So. CA. Once the fellow got my money his responsiveness waned.
Other comments	I have a great looking boat! I am proud to say that

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