Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-26 by Ernie

Year built	1990
Location of boat	Mpls.MN>
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	John
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes. My only regret is the wide beam prevents easy trailering due to required permits for movement. It was the best design,best built,most equipement for the money.
Gear that's been added	Yes. I added full instrumentation,Longer genoa tracks on the side decks,self tailing winches located on the cockpit coamings,mast track for spinnaker pole.Spinnaker and whisker pole. Cabin: I installed and FM radio,Cd player,VHF radio,Cabin light over the table,see thru mesh behind the seat backs to store gear,Canvas pockets in the aft cabin to store bedding,gloves and cruising neccessities.
Structural or complex improvements	I moved the battery from the vanity to the stern of the boat for better balance. Many Capri 26s including mine list to port. Moving the battery helped offset this slightly. I also installed remote controls for the outboard, to make docking safer and easier. I faired the keel only slightly to smooth-out a few rough spots. I also added a shackle to the forestay to prevent distortion caused by my "Flexible Furler".
The boat's best features	Large cockpit,Flat comfortable coamings,Double life lines,wide walkways,walk thru transom,large cabin,built-in cooler with drain. My wife likes the enclosed head.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Single-line mainsail reef. The boat lists to port slightly. The opening ports cut into plastic windwows will leak,if not closed evenly. I had to install a shut-off to prevent water pumping out of the sink in the head when sailing in rough seas. I do not like the "Flexible Furler" for making sail changes,but it has given me 10 years of service ,without ever breaking or jamming.
Sailing characterisitcs	Sails well and is easy to balance. Using a 110% jib gives the best performance. Furling my 155% jib to sail in windy conditions, makes the boat heel much more than if I make a sail change to 110% in winds over 12 knots or so. The roller furling,although easy to use,can spoil the feel of this fine boat. I have sailed it on a few occassions in steady winds and was able to steer from the bow simply by shifting crew positions. In light winds the boat will always move and still will tack fairly well. The large main means I usually am the first one to reef, But the boat sails more up-right that way and is able to maintain speed and balance.
Motoring characterisitcs	Motoring the out-baord model ,like mine ,can be tricky. The boat tends to turn when backing and takes quite a while to get good steerage when moving forward. The problem seems to be the offset of the outbaord. A problem I can't overcome. Using an Evenrude 9.9 will move the boat over 5 knots most of the time. Motoring in heavy seas the out-board will pop out of the water and I have swamped the motor, But it kept running.
Liveability	I have lived on this boat with 4 people for six days several times. The wide beam makes the cabin easy to move around in ,even if someone is using the galley or the head. The large table is easy to set-up and can hold 6 for cards or dinner. The enclosed head provides privacy, although changing clothes in it is quite difficult. I would like a gage on the holding tank to warn me of it's being full. The large cockpit is wonderful when sitting at anchor.The flat coamings expand the cockpit and still keep us dry when sailing. The boat is very "active" when anchored.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I had several problems with the boat in the first months of ownership. The dealer was very slow in making repairs and offering information about the boat. Capri was no better. I had to copy someone elses manual for the boat, because I was told there was none by the dealer and Capri said I had to go through the dealer to get one. I found out about "Mainsheet" by accident. I would have liked to have known about that magazine from my first day owning a Capri.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I bought the boat new from a local dealer that promissed service. I was a demanding customer,But I only wanted what was promissed to me in my purchase agreement. It took several months to finaly get the problems solved,But I did most of the work myself. I only wish Capri had been more helpful,when I couldn't get answers from the dealer. The experience soured what should have been a sweet and happy time. The boat remains one of my favorite toys. I am very pleased with the years of use and enjoyment it has given me and my freinds.
Other comments	I believed then and now that Catalina and Capri are the best value for a well built boat. I have had no real problems with the boat, since the first year, and have been a happy owner. I shopped for new headsails and decided to go with the "stock" sails. I have been very happy with the cut and fit of the Jibs I have received.Their performance seems to be good as well.

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