[TSOJOURNER]

Hello,
I am looking into buying my first boat to sail (and maybe race?) around south Florida with my family.
We have seen Catalina 22s, 25s and a beautiful Bayliner US25.
Any suggestions on either one of those boats mentionned?
Pros/cons?
The boats we''re seeing are around 1979-1983 era, between $5000 and $7500.

Thank you.

 

[waltersofbayport]

I would stay away from the bayliner. Granted the huge interior and ''more boat for the money'' thought process looks like the bayliner is a good deal, but if you plan to race, you would be in better company with the catalinas.

 

[TSOJOURNER]

Get a Catalina. They are a proven manufacturer,and design. They are easy and fun to sail and you won''t regret it. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[BenD]

Regarding an earlier post on this thread. The "US25" probably has "US Yachts" on either side of the cabin, or did, and this boat should not be confused with Bayliner''s "Buccaneer" line of boats which were not at all suitable for buccaneering, or sailing, for that matter. To my knowledge, all of the US Yachts (several sizes) were designed by Doug Peterson and were good performers. Mr. Peterson has designed some incredible race boats over the years and still is (America''s Cup). The center cockpit Buccaneer 26 makes a decent small liveaboard, but the US25 is still competitive under PHRF; rating faster than the Catalina 25. There are quite a few of both here in the Seattle area (Bayliner country) and I used to have to race against both models when I owned a Northstar 500.