Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 25 by Gary Bruner

Year built	1978
Location of boat	Kalama, Washington
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1983
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I did buy it again. I bought it in 1983, sold it in 1992 and moved up. In 1998, I bought the same boat back! It's a great, roomy swing keel boat that is fine in the Columbia River and easily trailers to the San Juans. I do not like it in nasty conditions as it is quite tender. In 20 knots of wind I go down to an 80% jib and often the first reef to keep up any speed. It is a good boat for protected waters, but I won't go to sea in it!
Gear that's been added	Autopilot, depth, knotmeter, CD player, preventers and extra canvas
Structural or complex improvements	Not really. New rigging and changed keel pendant. The main cabin double berth was too short, so the bed has been modified to include the quarterberth as well. We now have a king sized double in the salon; it takes up space, but is very comfortable.
The boat's best features	Its room, both in the cockpit and below is hard to match in 25 feet.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	It all works, but it's got a new outboard bracket, etc. It is a relatively cheap boat.
Sailing characterisitcs	Down wind she goes pretty well, but tends to yaw a bit in a good sea and lots of wind. A longer keel would help, but you can't have it all. Beating is a booger in high wind and seas. I go down to an 80% jib and reefed main in more than 20 knots or so. It is easy to feel overpowered to windward.
Motoring characterisitcs	In flat water, my Yamaha 9.9 pushes it beyond its theoretical hull speed, sometimes 7 knots. In rough water, a shorter engine can come out of the water because it's transom hung. So, great in flat water, fair to poor in rough conditions.
Liveability	Great, for a 25 footer.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	Frankly, I am shopping. I like the boat fine in many ways, given certain limitations, but for me, personally, I want a boat that I can sail offshore, and a boat with more character. Seen one Catalina, seen 'em all.

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