After searching for a boat and marina slip for a year and a half, we finally purchased a Catalina 25. This is our third boat...having previously owned a MacGregor 21 and a Catalina 22. Our new boat is a Catalina 25 tall rig fixed keel. We look forward to day sails, overnight trips, and just staying on the boat to get away for a day or two. This purpose of this channel is not to give a daily vlog of our "boat lives" but to share our experiences, learnings, and mistakes along the way. Hopefully our experiences will be of benefit to some of you. Feel free to follow our blog as well at, sailingdiscipleship.blogspot.com/.
I can't remember if I have shown the main being raised. Typically I will raise it, thought there are times when the wind is coming from behind I'll just sail with the jib/genoa...or if I just don't feel like messing with multiple sails. I use Aqua Map for navigation...seems to work well. And I know you can go all the way to Wilmington, suppose you can go further, not sure how far with a sailboat.
Moving too fast, mate. Your hand is obscuring what the camera needs to see. Also, dont need to go thru your 'i dont knows'. Just talk to how to do it. thanks
Yes. For our needs/desires, we really want the sade of the bimini. Witht he C-25 tall rig's boom being lower, we raised it up using a Davis Instrument Track Stop and then typically keep a reef in the mainsail. May not be ideal, but it provides us a more comfortable outing in the hot North Carolina weather. That, and a 100% jib the boat is typically well balanced. If I go out with my buddie we can always lower the boom and shake out the reef.
I have a 85 Catalina 25 tall rig. Haven't put it in the water yet, but watching your videos she will be in soon. Thanks for the content!!! Ps I live on the Albemarle sound.
@CurtisGary-de9es So, we purchased an inexpensive Bimini from National Covers. I believe it was under $200. Not sure of longevity, but .eets our needs. It is 36" high, 72" long and is supposed to fit cockpit widths of 67-72". Yes, all winches are usable, honestly can't remember if you can crank winch handle all the way around, but really not a problem for us.
I always wanted to see the interior I'd a catalina 25 to compare it to my Ericson 25T. I am curious what marina you are in because I'm looking for one that will let me liveaboard on a 25 footer. Everyone now demands a minimum if 35 feet and I don't want a bigger sailboat. This Cataliba is in really rough shape and you have your work cut out. My Ericson is a 1982 and I've lived aboard since 1992 and my boat is in excellent shape. But I can keep up with everything daily and I can't stand ugly brighter, or a dirty boat. I'm sure once you are finished getting g her ship shape, she will be a beautiful boat again. Last Spring I barrier coated my bottom and because I'm picky, it took 2 months but was so worth all the work. I suggest you consider barrier coating on such an old fiberglass hull. Your ablation bottom paint will last longer and less chance of expensive blisters. I repaired my blisters in 1998 and have never had another one with proper barrier coating. 😂😂
We talk of getting a larger boat in the future to live on...can't imagine living on a 25 footer. That is rather impressive! Not sure if our marina has a minimum...someone liveson a 27 footer. I have spent a week on it just fine (except I wish I could stand up), but I also knew I would be headed home in a few days. We spent the first 7 months getter her ready to sail, but we have really enjoyed sailing her since then, though I wish we could get out more often. It definitely needs new bottom paint...of some type...but that will likely be in the fall/winter. She is sail-able...and therefore much more beautiful than when we got her, though I'll admit she is still pretty dirty. Like my motorcycle, I'd much rather sail (ride) than clean/wash. But it really has been, and is, a great boat to get us back into sailing.
Not sure exactly how to answer...or what you want to know. So, I'll answer and see if it hits the mark. I'm assuming you mean keep it raised up since Catalina 25's have lower booms. When at the dock, I have a Davis Sail Lock inserted in the mast track that keeps it raised up in position. Once the mainsail is raised...the mainsail holds it up/supports the boom. Since we value our comfort, and the shade from the bimini, we keep a reef in the mainsail so it is shorter and therefore high enough to tack over without hitting the bimini.
@@sailingdiscipleship6295 thank you for understanding my vague question. Mine is held up with a screw in the middle of the sail track. I wanted to what the right way is, thanks for sharing here and you videos in general
Thanks! Did I buy the new halyard from CDI with the metal ring attached? Yes...sort of. I actually ordered the CDI replacement halyard (with the ring) through Vela Sailing Supply. Total cost was about $70 at the time. Great service. Also, CDI was very helpful as well in my contacts with them.
I've only been on one Catalina 30, but like it. My boat goals are simple...I want a boat I can stand up in! Catalina 30 is certainly on my list! And, in my limited experience, 30' is a good length...at least for me.
Nice. I want to learn how to sail and buy a trailer sailor. Ive been looking into 19'-23' boats and so far I like the Venture line made by a few makers, Mariner, Day Sailor or something similar.
I think those are good sizes...enough size for a feeling of stability but very manageable. I sailed a little Sunfish for several summers growing up, but mi e and my wife's first boat was a MacGregor 21...and then a Catalina 22. Loved them all...this 25 is the first fixed keel. Good luck with your boat search and sailing journey. It is a great experience!
Lake Murray! Never made it to the lake but have great memories of my years at USC! Anyway, we have a 30 ft. slip, the smallest at our marina, and pay $15 a foot. Plus electricity, which is typically under a couple of dollars.
I'm curious. Which halyard are you using to climb? A spin halyard? Also, what size line are you using? I've read that the ropeman 1 shouldn't be used with lines smaller than 10mm in diameter.
So, I believe my halyards are 1/2"...I remember reading the same thing concerning minimum line diameter. To climb, I use the jib halyard with the ropemans (our roller furler has it's own halyard). I then swing the main halyard around the spreaders, anchor it to the base of the mast, and use it as a belay using prusik knot that I slide up/down as I ascend or descend.
Thanks for watching. I love the Cape Dory's...beautiful lines! One of our church members always had CD's. I appreciate the feed back...I'll try and keep an eye on the font and the time it's up to make it easier to read.
our first boat was a c25. #3049. bought it new in the early eighties. sailed it hard in so, cal. hit all the islands. moved up to bigger boats. loved that one
We have really enjoyed it so far. I hope one day for a bigger boat...one I can stand up in! But after 15 years of being boat-less (used to have a MacGregor 21 then a Catalina 22) this has been a great boat to get us back into the sport of sailing and to relearn those skills. Thanks for watching!
Yea, I've seen some videos on sheet to tiller...but from some reason it hasn't clicked in my mind. When we get into more than just two or three hours of sailing I may definitely look into it. Thanks for the reminder!
We have really enjoyed it...been a great boat to get us back into sailing. Looking forward to getting some longer days on the water. So far we've really only been able to manage shorter trips in the river. Thanks for watching...and thanks for sharing your sailing adventures!
This is a pretty nice traveler setup. Definitely not stock. I also have a Catalina 25 with the original setup, which was in the back behind the cockpit, along the transom. It doesn't work very well. My C25 has the optional but common pop-top roof, so I don't know that I have enough clearance for the roof to be able to switch to a mid-boom like yours.
Yea, probably not. I'm just thinking back to our Catalina 22 with a pop-top and I doubt it would work. This traveler goes right over the sliding hatch. I guess there are pros and cons to every set up. Generally I like it on the cabin top...unless I drop the mainsheet line and have to get up and go fetch it! :)
I really wouldn't disagree with you. Fortunately, while I am religious, I hardly believe I'm a religious nut. But, other than introducing myself as Pastor Joe (which I did not do here, though that is what people call me) and our boat name which comes up in the opening spalsh, I don't use this channel to teach the Christian faith. If the boat name/channnel name bothers you, you might want to steer clear of my woodworking channel, "The Parson's Bench"! :)
@connergiven89 Your comment is incredibly rude and disrespectful. The video was well done, and likely an encouragement to others who hope to singlehand their own boat one day. YOU, not the owner of this video made it about religion. Keep the great content coming Pastor Joe. I always enjoy good sailing content, regardless of the name of the vessel.
As an atheist, I have to agree with sailingdisciple and christrouten. I did not see any religious overtone to the video whatsoever until i came down and saw the comment. There is a time and place for such a complaint, this video is neither. great job on the first solo! I hope to be doing the same soon.
@fakiirification Thanks you! I appreciate your time in watching my videos...hope you get out soon. Now that summer (90+ degree days) have past I'm hoping we can get out more too!
Yes it does! I would single hand our old Catalina 22, but we sold that one some 15 years ago! This wasn't much of a trip, but it felt like a big step. Thanks for watching!
@billmoree8089 So far so good. We have had high heat and low wind, so not as much sailing as I would like. I did have to raise the cleats because they were too low and the adjusting line would would slip out in high loads. But since raising them I've had no problems. I was surprised by need tobraise them.
Nicely done. It's nice to see people working on their own boats, make me feel like I am not the only one that can't afford an expensive boat. I live in western Carolina , and see a Catalina in my future. The 25 seems to be what I am gravitating towards. Thanks again for the video. jeff
Thanks, Jeff! Doing as much of my own work accomplishes two things...it is often/usually cheaper (which I like) and I do enjoy learning and doing things. I would definitely check out the Catalina 25, while just now being able to get it out of the slip, we have really enjoyed it. Not sure where in western Carolina you are, but we lived for a time in Banner Elk....that is when we sold our Catalina 22 because we just didn't use it very much. Good luck and fair winds!
How did your cat25 handle sailing jib only? I've got a Hank on jib so when I want a calm one sail day I usually raise the main. But I've been considering sailing with my jib.
Hey Brian, it did ok. Now, to be fair, winds were pretty light...in the 5-8 knt range. At first it wanted to blow the bow off the wind, but once I eased the sheet a little bit I had much better control. We had originally intended on just motoring to begin breaking in our new motor. This was also our first time out on this boat and my wife's first time on the Cape Fear River (and my first time in probably 20 years). I thought the jib would give me more control over the sail...figure it is easier to totally release compared to the main. Hoping we go out tomorrow and we may be under main alone...may need to replace the bearing assembly in our roller furler. I'd recommend giving the jib only a try...I think being familiar with various configurations is a good thing!
I sail my Cat25 with just the jib all the time when I’m just going from my dock to the restaurant down the way and I’m too lazy to uncover and hoist the main. It’s such a short trip. The jib gives me most of the power and speed anyways. Just a little more unstable pointing close hauled.
That's good to hear! We've only gotten out for a short time...but think we are really going to be happy with it. Starts right up and pretty quiet as well!
Wind Hippie's channel mentions up front that her parents sailed a Cal 25 around the world, and that both she and her sister were conceived an born during that voyage. Wind Hippie is about half way through her singlehanded circumnavigation in her 27 footer.
Wow...seem to me to be a pretty impressive undertaking in a boat that size. But, from a size/space standpoint, you generally adjust to what you uave. But still impressive!
I read about her parents long before she was on RU-vid. It was an article about him beefing the boat up and taking off. I said to myself I know those people when she mentioned about them in her video 😊
Thank you! Good luck in your search. Our last boat was a Catalina 22. Used to sail it off Wrightsville Beach...then we moved to Banner Elk. We sailed on Watauga lake for a couple of years before we decided to sell the boat.
Im on my 3rd season with a 78 swing keel catalina 25. I have the dinette layout. Ive been happy but like you said the head room just doesnt exist. I removed all my thru hulls and glasses them up so i can run without worry of leaks. How do you like the mainsheet being above the cabin top?
Best I can say right now...I THINK we will like it! We still haven't been able to take it out. I have finished the projects needed to get us out on the water...but now we are having some outboard issues and trying to decide whether to keep working on this old 1986 motor or go ahead and get a new one. But, I think we will be happy with the location of the traveler. My one question will be accessibility to the mainsheet when/if I am sailing solo. But I suspect I will just get used to it.
Nice video!! I may be doing this soon. Your shade set up looks nice and also easy. I would appreciate knowing how you have it rigged. Have a blessed day, Pastor!
Thank you, Nancy! Yea, I'm liking our boom tent. Provides some nice shade. So, I just published a video on it. If you watch that video hopefully it will answer your questions of how we have it rigged. If not, just let me know and I'll try to be more clear. Thanks for watching!
Thanks, Kent! I do enjoy it, though I haven't been as active in the shop the past six or seven months. I have a little woodworking channel if you want to check it out in your spare time. The Parson's Bench ru-vid.com/show-UChJ4z72CA4m-V1Ih3buKtvA. Not as much this past year, but I do sell some items. I'm not soliciting, but if you are interested I can get you my email and we could chat. Thanks again!
Headlamp...YES!!! Funny thing is, I always carry a headlamp with me when I go to the boat because you are absolutely right. I just don't have it in my tool bag. But I will get one to keep in it! Thanks!
