Cal 25 or Catalina 27

seanonaboat · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010

I am interested in hearing people's opinions on which boat might serve my purpose best. I will be buying a boat in southern California and setting sail down the coast, into the Sea of Cortez and eventually back up to soCal. I plan on living on the boat and cruising for the next year or so. The price for Cat 27s and Cal 25s seem comparable. I will be spending $3000-$4000 on the boat. If condition is similar, which design do you think will be the best?

COOL · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010

Either design has its merits,
but in the price range your are considering,
you will need to carefully evaluate each individual
boat. The Cat 27 is a bit larger, it will be faster
and have more accommodation. In your price range
I would opt for an outboard model, vs one with an A4.
The sail inventory of the particular boat may be
a determining factor. The cost of a new set of sails
will exceed the purchase price of the boat in some cases.
The bash back up the coast could be a brutal trip in
either of these boats, and perhaps worse in the Cal,
so you will need a small stout headsail.
You may even consider a small cheap boat such as
these a 'one way ticket'. Sail it down the coast,
then give it away in La Paz or San Carlos.

mitiempo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010

COOL is correct. The less you pay for a boat the more work it will need. There is usually a good reason some boats are so inexpensive.
I wouldn't take either down the coast to Baja without modifications either, the Catalina's gaping companionway and screw attached cabinetry being good examples. And yes, the slog back up the coast is a rough one, often done under power in larger boats.

seanonaboat · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010

Thanks for the input. I am looking around for good deals right now. If you come across any boats that you think may work for me, let me know. And any other tips you have for me are very much appreciated.

capttb · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

Abandoned in the Dana Point shipyard at least 7 months ago is what I believe was indentified as a "Westerly 27". It looks like your typical lead sled that most people identify as a "bluewater" boat. It has some kind of encapsulated concrete/lead ballasted full keel, a large chunk of the encapsulation fell off the port side. The owner had a panic attack and ran, yard advised him to just patch it and sail it while it floats. I think they'd be happy to get the thing out of their yard.

mitiempo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

Westerly (UK) never made a 27. They also never used concrete for keels. Another Westerly?

capttb · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

I really can't recall what they said it was, my initial comment to them was "What is that? some kind of Union Polaris or something?" . anyway might be good for a low budget one way trip to Baja.

mitiempo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

Sounds like a project and a bit of a disaster. If the keel is falling apart the rest probably is in about as good a shape. It calls the methods of the entire boat's construction into question.

seanonaboat · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

The abandoned boat idea is not a bad call. Might be worth finding something really cheap and putting 2-3k into it. 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? Will be buying a boat in the next 2-4 weeks. Let me know your thoughts on this trip and if you come across an appropriate vessel. Much appreciation to any one that shares any ideas!

mitiempo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2010

Whether you are going to Baja or coming back it is an offshore trip with all that entails. And coming back you are usually beating into it all the way.