Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-26 by George Sorrell

Year built	1990
Location of boat	Carabelle, Fl
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	less than 10 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	Yes
Owner bought the boat in	1991
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would absolutely buy this boat again. When I first saw the boat in late 1990, I knew it was the boat I had been looking for. It had lots of room below and in the cockpit but did not cost an arm and a leg. It had all the best features of a day sailor but clearly could be used for overnight. It even occurred to me that I might retire on it and sail it to the Keys (my dream). Little did I know that within the next few months, I would finally realize that dream. Although I thought I would sail the Capri 26 at Carlisle lake on weekends for 5 years and then buy a larger boat (Catalina 30) for my actual retirement. However, my company had other ideas and I found myself retired after having the boat just one season. I took the boat up the Tennessee river form Kentucky Lake and down the tombigbee to Mobile. I crossed the Gulf from Carabelle to Clearwater in 42 hours (12 hours of near calm). I traveled the Florida west coast to the keys, lived there 1 year and travled the Florida east coast and stopped at Amelia Island for 4 years. I then moved to Tallahassee and have been here ever since.The story of my living aboard this small boat for 7 years is not hard to imagine. I ran across lots of other �live aboards� who did it with much fewer luxuries than I was able to enjoy.Anyway, having the smaller boat proved advantageous at times when I would pay my overnight dock fees. The only problems I�ve had with handling the boat single-handed was the way the outboard motor is mounted far to the rear of the reverse transom. It was impossible to take advantage of the outboard motors ability to maneuver in slow tight areas (with high winds) because you can't reach it. Too bad I didn�t find an extension for my motor tiller until many years later. Had I found the extension earlier, some of my scariest moments while docking could have been avoided.Anyway, I could go on and on about this boat. It handles very well in light or heavy winds. When I�m real lazy (often) I use only the headsail. It�s a 150 roller furl sail with all the controls back to the cockpit. I expect anyone interested in buying a used Capri 26 would enjoy owning/sailing this boat.
Gear that's been added	I added some things once I knew I was going to single hand the boat to the keys:1. Loran2. Macerator pump out for waste (which doesn't work)3. Extra (additional) electric panel to take the load off the original panel4. Autohelm for tiller5. VHF Radio down below (not a good idea) Hand-held is better.And much more I can�t remember.
Structural or complex improvements	No
The boat's best features	Lots of room, easy to sail, reliable.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The outboard motor design was a big problem (only when leaving or returning to dock) until I found an extension tiller for the motor. Now, its no problem at all and much easier to maintain than an inboard would be.
Sailing characterisitcs	I've sailed in all kinds of weather and can only say that the boat will perform well in all conditions.
Motoring characterisitcs	Other than described above, no problems.
Liveability	Because I am short (5' 6") the salon head room is more than adequate. If you are more than 3 inches taller, it could present a problem causing you to have to duck your head while down below.The water tanks and holding tank for waste are very limited. I did not use the marine head except in extreme emergencies. I now have a porta potty down below which is my solution to the extreme lack of pump-out stations.I only used the water tanks for washing and shaving. It has a very good hot water heater and power water plumbing.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Very good however, I am disappointed in their website which requires that you join their site. That's a problem I have about any website. They are suppose to be there to reduce their costs and allow you to review information without taking up someone elses time. I don't like them building database of people. Anyway, that is my personal opinion.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I had a very good relationship with my dealer, having driven him crazy for 10 years before I finally bought a boat.
Other comments	Great boat and well worth the money.

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