oday vs catalina

[ssballard1990]

howdy!
Looking to buy a 25-27' in the ft worth area. considering an oday 26 or catalina 25. both similar condition (1985). oday has swing, cat is fixed. I'm an intermediate sailor, have 4 kids, want to overnight. Anyone know of one for sale, or comments on which I should get. solo sailing is a must. Thanks! email is ssballard1990@yahoo.com

[jybiom]

I have a 77 Catalina 30. Thats the one for you. You wont regret it.
John, Lake Erie, Pa.

[ilnadi]

We have a 89 C25 WingKeel (which has a lower floor than the '85 you mention, so more "room"). And we weekend on it with a toddler. That is about the limit for me.

My humble opinion is unless you are thinking "backpacking (not even car camping) overnighting", C25 is too small for 2+4. Storage is very limited, you'll be moving bags around every morning and evening (maybe even between car and boat if at dock). A decent cooler for a weekend will take up one third of the cabin, etc. You may want to look at older and bigger (C30 does fit the bill, so do many others).

[Irwin32]

Fixed keel is a bit more stable and no moving parts and will perform a little better. Swing keel can be trailered to distant cruising grounds. I think you will find plenty of happy owners of each make. If it is down to these two boats, I would start looking at what they come with. If one has significantly newer sails, that might tip the balance for me. spinnaker gear? Furler? Chartplotter?

Bigger is better - no doubt - if you can do that.

[Wayne_Eastman]

Hello Mr. Ballard,
I own a Catalina 27. My wife and I have attempted to stay over a few times, but our Catalina 27 is very small inside. We were always bumping into something. I can't imagine attempting to fit four kids on a 25 footer. Nobody will enjoy the time aboard and the next time, nobody will want to go. You would be wasting your money by purchasing something smaller than 30 feet. Sincerely, Wayne Eastman

[Sailormon6]

Years ago, I had a friend who had a wife and 6 kids, and they all spent most weekends each summer on a Catalina 25. Mom and Dad slept in the V berth, 2 kids in the main salon, 2 in the berth under the cockpit, and 2 in the cockpit, under a canopy. They all loved it, and now that they're all grown, I suspect they have fond memories of it.