Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-18 by Kirk Hansen

Year built	1999
Location of boat	Columbia River
The boat is sailed on	Rivers
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1999
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I searched for nearly a year to determine what small boat to purchase.Moving down from a 28 foot coastal cruiser, I was very concerned with the boats stability and performance in fairly strong winds. As it turned out the Capri 18 is a far better boat than anyone gives it credit for. Our Capri 18 has been sailed many times in winds of 20 to 25 knots. Yes I would definatly buy this boat again.
Gear that's been added	I have added a 150% roller furling head sail, line chocks for an anchor, compass, autopilot, seaswing stove, VHF, Plexiglass chart table, 2nd reef in the mainsail,teak navigation rack and hanging hamocks in the v berth.
Structural or complex improvements	No structural modifications.
The boat's best features	The fixed wing keel is far superior to a swing keel or centerboard. Nice small hidden galley, good rooming for sleeping for a small boat that is easily trailered.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Water leaks under the companionway hatch if you take a wave over the bow or when the boat is washed.
Sailing characterisitcs	Te boat came with a 135% headsail that did not allow the boat to show its true potential. It really came alive in light air with the 150% headsail.
Motoring characterisitcs	Engine mount is too low and about 4 inches of it is underwater when motoring. The rudder rattles while motoring due to the fact that the connection is metal to metal.
Liveability	This is a very small boat but it does have a head (port a potty) and a galley hidden under the port sette. The sleeping area has plenty of room even for very tall people.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	The small amount of contact I have had with the factory has been good so far although it seems as if the Capri 18 is mostly forgotten.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	This is a really good little boat that compares in quality to any other boat of similar size. My personal opinion is that it is a far better boat than the Potter 19 and is as well built as the Montgomery 17.

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