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
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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
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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.

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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

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ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONS
Distance from Waterline to Masthead 33'-4"
Maximum Headroom w/ Pop Top down 4'-8"
Maximum Headroom w/ Pop Top up 6'-4"
COMPARATIVE DATA (w/ Water ballast)
Displacement to Length 167.49
Sail Area to Displacement 19.8
Theoretical Hull Speed 6.17
SAILS
Sail Area (100% Fore
triangle) 265.0 sq. ft.
Mainsail 6 oz. Cloth 137.5 sq. ft.
Standard Jib 6 oz. Cloth 133.5 sq. ft.
I: 29.00ft. P: 24.50 ft.
J: 9.00.ft. E: 11.00 ft.
TANKAGE AND CAPACITIES
Holding tank Thetford Porta Pottie
Ice Box 48 qt. Cooler under Galley
Berths (1) Double "V" berth; (1) Double Aft berth
Specifications and equipment subject to change without notice

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RIGGING
OPTIONAL MAST RAISING SYSTEM
STEPPING THE MAST
Caution: The mast 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.
When trailering your boat always try to undo as little rigging as possible.
1. Before raising the mast, make sure halyards are neatly tied down and that they are on proper sides
of the spreaders. You should never attempt to raise the mast unless the upper shrouds (those that
pass over the spreaders) and the lower shrouds are attached to the deck fittings and the turnbuckles
are well "started" into their barrels by at least 3/4 of an inch. The turnbuckles must not be
completely tightened however, because slack is needed in the shrouds to enable the mast to be
fully raised. The backstay should be attached to the transom chain plate.
The upper shrouds, aft lower shrouds, and backstay will keep the mast from falling over when it is
raised, therefore, all of these must be attached to the chain plate before the mast is raised. Check
that the spreaders are secure and that spreader boots are secure.
2. Make sure that the shrouds and stays are not fouled. Backstay should lie clear of the transom.
3. Extend mast carrier and roller support at the front of the trailer to their highest positions and
secure with pin.
4. Slide the mast aft over the mast carrier until the foot is at the mast step and install the bolt
connecting the mast step and the mast. At this time, you should check that all the mast lights are
functioning properly.
5. Check for overhead wires that may interfere with the mast raising. Make sure the trailer is on
level ground.
6. Verify that upper and lower shrouds are connected to chain plate (A) and not caught or wrapped in
a way that would cause them to kink or interfere with raising the mast.
7. Release hook from bow eye and lead hook and strap through the two (2) rollers at the trailer post.
(B)
8. Place webbing strap around the mast just below the spreaders 8 secure at that height with the main
halyard. Fasten main halyard to a cleat on starboard side of mast (D). Using the supplied line, tie
a bowline loop through both ends of the webbing strap and another loop securely attached to the
hook at the end of the winch strap. WARNING: Main halyard MUST be properly secured.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury.
9. Install mast raising short shrouds w/ T- bolts in mast sides and pelican hook on bail in stanchions.
(E) These shrouds should be slightly slack to allow self-centering during raising and lowering
maneuvers.
10. Crank the winch on the trailer, (F) until mast is vertical. Connect forestay to stem fitting to secure
the mast in position.
11. If backstay was not connected, do so at this time (at transom), and remove raising shrouds.
12. Lower main halyard to lower webbing strap. Release hook, then adjust rig as desired.

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Catalina 250 Owner’s Manual
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LOWERING THE MAST
1. Check for overhead wires that may interfere with the mast lowering.
2. Install aft mast carrier in the transom and extend fully.
3. Extend front post of trailer.
4. Place webbing strap around the mast with main halyard attached. Lead hook and winch strap
through rollers on trailer post, connect to line and webbing and tension line.
5. Install mast raising short shrouds W/ T- bolts in mast sides and pelican hook on bail in stanchions.
6. Release forestay and slowly lower the mast from the trailer winch. This MUST be done slowly
and in a controlled manner. DO NOT let go the winch handle until mast is resting on mast carrier
or it may fall causing severe damage and/or injuries.
7. When the mast reaches the roller at the aft mast carrier (set to highest position), remove the bolt
from the mast step and slide the mast fwd. To rest in the bow mast carrier.
8. Remove webbing, raising shrouds and replace hook on bow eye.
IMPORTANT: Be careful not to twist the mast or allow it to move to one side of centerline while
raising the mast, as this may cause the mast step to break.

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RIGGING LENGTH

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SPREADER ASSEMBLY

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MASTHEAD ASSEMBLY

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MAINSTAY AND BOOM VANG SYSTEM

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TUNING THE MAST
Your mast is held aloft by the standing rigging (forestay, backstay, upper shrouds and lower shrouds).
The term "tuning" refers to adjustment of the standing rigging so that the mast remains "in column" when
under load. This is accomplished by following the procedure outlined below:
AT THE DOCK (First part of tuning)
1. Adjust forestay and backstay so that the rake (fore and aft angle of the mast) is approximately four
(4) inches. In order to measure the rake, tie a weight from the main halyard to act as a plumb bob,
and measure the horizontal distance between the halyard and the aft face of the mast.
2. Adjust upper shrouds so that the mast is vertical from side to side. To verify this, using the main
halyard, measure the distance from the masthead to the center of the pin a the chain plates; repeat
for opposite side and adjust upper shrouds as necessary

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3. Once the mast is straight side to side, increase tension of upper shrouds taking an equal number of
turns per side, until the fore and aft pre-bend induced reaches approximately 1 ½ inches.
4. The lower shrouds should be adjusted slightly looser than the uppers. The shrouds will help
control the amount of pre-bend in the rig.
NOTE: Rigging tensions may be measured with LOOS & Co. Model B tension gauge.