CD25 vs catalina 27

[Douglas Fletcher]

New to keel boat sailing, my family and I are considering a beautifully restored 25 versus the larger roomier catalina about the same age and price. We love the CD, however the catalina is larger below. WE have family and friends to take, Would we find the CD25 more enjoyable over time. Plan to use the boat weekending on the chesapeake. thanks for your input.



Fletchrins@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

I looked at a Catalina 27 before buying a CD28 seven years ago. While researching the Catalina I came across a local sailor who caught some bad weather in one and experienced "oil canning" of the hull as it flexed in the waves. He immediately put the boat up for sale.

What's the limit of your budget? Either boat will be small for cruising with more than 2 people. Can you swing a CD27?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
CD28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[tom G]

Oil canning is a term I have never heard before. Could you give a example of what that is.

While researching the Catalina I came across a local sailor who caught some bad weather in one and experienced "oil canning" of the hull as it flexed in the waves. He immediately put the boat up for sale.

What's the limit of your budget? Either boat will be small for cruising with more than 2 people. Can you swing a CD27?


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
CD28 #167

tgrant9008@aol.com

[Ken Coit]

Over time, you will find the CD much more enjoyable. Why? Because given a reasonable amount of TLC it will still be there waiting to serve you.

I owned a Catalina 22 for many years (circa '79 to '95). There wasn't much teak to care for and that was a plus because the rest of the boat had a hard time standing up to the sun and wind even if it wasn't being sailed. Best years we had with that boat was when we dry sailed it off a trailer in AZ, and the worst years were the three she spent in a small cove in the shade on Lake Gaston, NC. Blisters on a thin hull are devastating.

Buy a Cape Dory and

Keep on sailing,

Ken Coit
CD/14 #538
CD/36 #84 Parfait
Hailing Port: Raleigh, NC
Sailing from: Beaufort, NC

New to keel boat sailing, my family and I are considering a beautifully restored 25 versus the larger roomier catalina about the same age and price. We love the CD, however the catalina is larger below. WE have family and friends to take, Would we find the CD25 more enjoyable over time. Plan to use the boat weekending on the chesapeake. thanks for your input.

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Joel]

Picture an old fashioned metal oil can with a flat bottom and a long thin spout. You tilt the can, aim the spout where you want the oil to go and pump the bottom of the can with your thumb to force the oil out. The way the flat bottom of the can flexes is what is referred to by "oil canning". In an oil can, it's a good thing. In a boat hull, it's not.

Joel
Pokey II (still for sale)
'73 Ty #549
Bayside, NY

[Ken]

That's a tough comparison, they are very different in terms of size. The Cape Dory is a small 25 footer, more comparable in size to a Catalina 22. I sailed a Catalina 27 for about a year before changing to my current Cape Dory 25, but I do mostly day sailing. I would never go back to a Catalina. I would choose a 20 year old Cape Dory over a brand new Catalina every time. There is no comparison as to quality, apppearance and performance. Also being in Florida, the draft was an issue with the Catalina's extra foot, unless you go for an winged keel which is lousy in all respects. One advantage to the Catalina is that you probably have an inboard. Either boat is small for cruising with more than two people, but the CD is significantly smaller, w/o standing headroom. For my wife and two toddlers I think it is too small for anything but day sailing and an overnight once in a while. For your purpose my best advice would be to try to go for at least a Cape Dory 27. In the medium term you will get all of your money back on a Cape Dory, the Catalina will only depreciate.



kboyd@snworks.com