Does anyone have opinions on the Catalina 250 wing-keel?

Great for camping. If you want to sail buy a Merit 25 or an Olson 25.

Here's some advice you can actually use.
The Merit and Olson are fast race boats with a fine history, but lack the
Catalina's cruisable nature. They are also not suitable for safe and relaxed
family sailing, if that's what you're looking for. Consider that the Merit
rates much like a J24, while the Catalina clocks in with a slow rating of
around 240, far less performance, but a stiff and stable platform for family
daysailing and weekend cruising. The Olson and Merit have interiors that are
something less than inviting, but then cruising is not what they're about. That
said, people have taken long trips on even smaller boats.
There's nothing wrong with the 250, if it fits your needs. Ignore the negative
types who will try to tell you to buy the boat "they" like.
Good luck!

RB
C&C 32
NY