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Catalina 250 Owner's Manual
When buffing the boat to restore its finish, care should be taken not to cut through the gel coat surface.
This is especially true on corners and edges of the hull. A power buffer may be used, or the work may
be done by hand, using a lightly abrasive rubbing compound, such as Mirror Glaze No. 1 for power
buffers, or DuPont No. 7 for hand buffing. Any high quality paste wax may be used after buffing.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUDDER
Your boat has been equipped with a composite rudder. The rudder is composed of a rigid foam core
with a fiberglass outside surface. Water, diesel, solvents or marine borers will not damage your
rudder blade even if the glass coating has been damaged. Composite rudders should never be painted
black. The rudder's underwater surface should be prepared and painted using the same methods
recommended for the hull.
You should make periodic inspections of your rudder and look for possible damage from grounding.
Cosmetic surface repairs may be performed by cleaning, drying and roughing up the damaged area
and applying epoxy putty or any similar filler with a putty knife. Gel coat is not needed.
BOTTOM PAINT PREPARATION
Catalina 250's have a blister resistant gel coat. Special precautions must be used when preparing this
bottom for painting. Thoroughly remove the wax from the bottom using a de-waxing cleaner,
following the manufacturer's instructions. Use "no sand" type primer or lightly "scuff" sand with 120
grit paper to prepare the bottom for painting. improper bottom preparation will void your Catalina
Yachts Gel Coat Five Year Limited Warranty
Anti-fouling paint should be applied to the bottom of your Catalina 250 if it is to be moored in either
fresh or salt water for any length of time. There are many brands available. Anti-fouling paint
prevents the growth of algae, barnacles, and other fouling organisms on underwater surfaces.
SPAR AND RIGGING MAINTENANCE
STANDING RIGGING
Your boat is equipped with stainless steel standing rigging and Dacron running rigging to give you
years of trouble-free service. However, due to normal wear and tear, it is recommended that a
periodic inspection be made on all fittings and wires. Tumbuckles should never be neglected and
should be unscrewed from time to time in order that they do not seize. Every three months should be
about right for the average sailor. A slightly bent turnbuckles shaft or broken wire in your shrouds
should be replaced immediately.
Under most conditions, 1X 19 standing rigging has a safe "working" life span of approximately five
years; seven years under ideal conditions. Factors which reduce the life of the wire are environmental
factors such as high humidity (Florida, the Caribbean, and Gulf States); high salinity or mooring near
a sea wail with constant salt spray; extremes in temperature; and industrial pollution (PULP mills,
generating plants, acid rain and smog). High loading of the rigging as required in most racing boats
also induces stress in the rigging system. Many of us have to deal with at least one of these conditions
and should consider replacing standing rigging at the five-year limit.
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