Catalina 250 User manual

This manual contains the complete text of the Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual (1st Edition 12-1-94; 2nd Edition 8-9-95) from the Catalina 25/250
National Association’s website (http://www.catalina25-250.org). It is not a complete, authorized copy of the original C250 Owner’s Manual from
Catalina Yachts. The Catalina Yachts logo is from www.catalinayachts.com.
Owners Manual

Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................................................................3
FORWARD...................................................................................................................................................................................4
YACHT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................................9
ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS........................................................................................................................................10
DIMENSIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................10
COMPARATIVE DATA (w/ Water ballast) ........................................................................................................................10
SAILS..................................................................................................................................................................................10
TANKAGE AND CAPACITIES...........................................................................................................................................10
RIGGING ...................................................................................................................................................................................11
OPTIONAL MAST RAISING SYSTEM................................................................................................................................11
STEPPING THE MAST ......................................................................................................................................................11
LOWERING THE MAST.....................................................................................................................................................13
RIGGING LENGTH ...............................................................................................................................................................14
SPREADER ASSEMBLY ......................................................................................................................................................15
MASTHEAD ASSEMBLY.....................................................................................................................................................16
MAINSTAY AND BOOM VANG SYSTEM......................................................................................................................... 17
TUNING THE MAST.............................................................................................................................................................18
AT THE DOCK (First part of tuning).................................................................................................................................18
TUNING UNDER LOAD (Second part of tuning)..............................................................................................................20
MAIN SAIL REEFING........................................................................................................................................................... 21
SAIL PLAN............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
OTHER SYSTEMS....................................................................................................................................................................23
CENTERBOARD SYSTEM...................................................................................................................................................23
WATER BALLAST SYSTEM................................................................................................................................................24
MANUAL BILGE PUMP .......................................................................................................................................................24
USEFUL TIPS.........................................................................................................................................................................24
ELECTRICAL.........................................................................................................................................................................26
BATTERIES........................................................................................................................................................................26
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL.....................................................................................................................................................26
CHARGING THE BATTERY:.............................................................................................................................................26
DISCHARGED STATE:......................................................................................................................................................27
CLEAN CONNECTIONS: ..................................................................................................................................................27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM........................................................................................................................................................27
DC - 12 VOLT SYSTEM ..................................................................................................................................................... 27
WIRING DIAGRAM ...........................................................................................................................................................28
NAVIGATION LIGHTS ......................................................................................................................................................29
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE.........................................................................................................................................29
ACCOMODATION PLAN.....................................................................................................................................................30
DECK PLAN........................................................................................................................................................................... 31
RECOMMENDED OUTBOARD ENGINE ...........................................................................................................................32
POP TOP OPERATION..........................................................................................................................................................32
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAILERING .......................................................................................................................32
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS .....................................................................................................................................................33

Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
Page 2
REQUIRED MINIMUM SAFETY EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................................34
FIRE EXTINGUISHER (S)................................................................................................................................................. 34
PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES...............................................................................................................................34
HORN.................................................................................................................................................................................34
SUGGESTED SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY PACKAGE.....................................................................................34
ANCHOR, ANCHORING, AND MOORING ........................................................................................................................35
LIGHTNING PRECAUTIONS...............................................................................................................................................35
WARNING LABELS..............................................................................................................................................................37
COMMISSIONING CHECKLIST..........................................................................................................................................38
PRE-LAUNCH CHECK......................................................................................................................................................38
IN WATER CHECK............................................................................................................................................................38
MAINTENANCE GUIDE.......................................................................................................................................................40
PRE-USE MAINTENANCE:...............................................................................................................................................40
MONTHLY MAINTENANCE..............................................................................................................................................40
SEASONAL MAINTENANCE:............................................................................................................................................ 40
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUDDER...........................................................................................................45
BOTTOM PAINT PREPARATION..................................................................................................................................... 45
SPAR AND RIGGING MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................45
SAIL MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................................................................47
INTERIOR CUSHION, FABRIC COVER CLEANING.......................................................................................................48

Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
Page 3
PREFACE
Congratulations on the acquisition of your new Catalina 250. All Catalina yachts are designed and built
with care using quality materials to assure you years of sailing enjoyment with a minimum of upkeep and
maintenance.
Before attempting maintenance or operation of your Catalina 250, please read the Catalina Yachts
Limited Warranty booklet and fill out the enclosed warranty registration card.
The registration card enables Catalina to inform you of developments and modifications to enhance the
performance or comfort of your yacht. It is also important to be able to contact owners to comply with
Coast Guard notification requirements.
The launching and rigging of the Catalina 250 should be handled by experienced boat yard personnel
under the direction of your authorized dealer.
The index page lists the contents of this manual. Warranties and information installed optional equipment
have been included when available and applicable.
Maintaining your yacht properly can become a satisfying part of your sailing activities. A regular
inspection is the best preventive maintenance. It will help keep your boat safe and in good condition
while in use, and insure peace of mind when the boat is left unattended
Take good care of your boat and take the time to learn and practice good seamanship.

Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
Page 4
FORWARD
This manual is not intended to provide sailing instructions. It is assumed the operator will consult books
written for that purpose, or take sailing lessons or courses to gain the knowledge necessary for the safe
operation of the vessel.
The systems descriptions and illustrations in this manual apply to boats built at the time of publication.
Our policy of constant improvement necessitates that changes have been made to the Catalina 250 since
its introduction. Therefore, these illustrations and descriptions may not apply to boats built before the
time of publication.
Owners of earlier hulls, who have questions not answered herein should consult with their local Catalina
dealer, or write to Catalina Yachts. Please include your hull number in all correspondence.
The maintenance checklists contained within this manual are intended as guidelines for boats in normal
service under typical conditions.
Climate and use will vary and may require additional or special maintenance. Consult with your local
boatyard or Catalina dealer for specific maintenance and precautions recommended for your purposes and
climate.
Caution: The aluminum and other metal parts conduct electricity. Coming in contact with or near an
electrical power line or lightning can cause severe injury or death. Stay away from overhead electrical
power lines when sailing and/or launching the boat.
Equipment manufacturer's literature will be included with this manual only when available and applicable
to the hull number for which the manual is intended. This information has been prepared and supplied by
the equipment manufacturer and may illustrate installations or applications which vary from CATALINA
standard practice. CATALINA is not responsible for the accuracy of information supplied by equipment
manufacturers.

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Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
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Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
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Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
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Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
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YACHT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS