Cal 25 or Catalina 27

[COOL]

Originally Posted by seanonaboat

Thanks for the warning about the trip back up the coast being a tough one in a small boat. I have a friend that had no problem making the trip in her cal 25. Anybody have other input on why this may not be the best trip to make in a small boat?

The 'Baja Bash' would not be impossible in a Cal 25,
you could sail just aboat any where in one and survive.
Lots of people are able to grab a small boat, some minimal
equipment, and head off on a grand adventure.
But,the trip up from Cabo to San Diego can be extremely
rough at times. Even professional delivery crews on
large yachts will find themselves holed up in Turtle Bay,
or anchored in the lee of Cedros, waiting for a weather
window to head North. If you have an open ended schedule,
and excellent rigging and sails, you could do it. But sailing
upwind in 20-25 knots and steep seas would not be fun.
If I paid $3-5K for a boat, and sailed it to the Sea of Cortez,
I would look into giving the boat away,
and taking a bus home.

[seanonaboat]

Thanks for all the input. I have found a couple of really well maintained Cal 25s for around $3500. Based on the input I have received, a solid Cal 25 should handle at least the trip south. The trip back up next year might be rough, but I think it will be do-able. Should be getting one of the boats in the very near future. I am going to be heading out from southern Cal in the next 3 or 4 weeks and heading down to Mexico. Anyone else heading that way anytime soon?

[COOL]

On that schedule you will be a month
behind the Baja Ha Ha. You will likely
bump into returning boats in Turtle Bay
and boats lingering in Cabo and La Paz.

[seanonaboat]

Thanks for the comments. I will be heading to southern Cal to pick up a 1969 Cal 25 for $3500 on Sunday. It is in great shape and I will be spending the next couple of weeks building a fiberglass dodger for it. Then a friend and I will be heading down to Mexico for an open ended cruise. I know it is a bit late in the season, but if anyone else is heading that way, let me know and we can float down together.