Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-22 by J Brud Weger

Year built	1989
Location of boat	Kittery Point, Maine
The boat is sailed on	Open ocean
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2005
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes - has been a fine boat, especially considering the conditions I typically sail in- "We're not on Lake Winnipesauki anymore"
Gear that's been added	Haven't done much - pretty well equipped as is... Installed some cam cleats for jib sheets in rear of cockpit for use when single-handing. Added a masthead light.
Structural or complex improvements	Added a brace under cabin sole - it was flexing - put in a piece of oak in abeam position. Plan to beef-up standing rigging to next size up - it's 20 years old anyway - time to replace.
The boat's best features	Large cockpit makes for good group sailing. Like the walkaround deck - easy to get forward. I like the spartan, basic quality and don't worry about the old 'Shipshape and Bristol fashion' BS -just sluice the cabin and cockpit floors with a few buckets of sea water when I come in. The advantages of an inexpensive plastic boat.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Old clam cleats worn out. Main sail - outhaul and downhaul are pretty lame. Replaced fuse panel - old one was fried - salt water is hard on equipment. The standing rigging bits and pieces are archaic and difficult to deal with, but still working. Cockpit slides - replaced
Sailing characterisitcs	Pretty fast boat - have out-sailed much larger craft. Fairly difficult to put over - never have capsized (knock on wood) and I've sailed in 30+ knots with higher gusts, on all points of sail, miles out in the deep blue sea. Strenuous, but great stuff! Easy to wing and wing - goes well downwind. Doesn't always point as close as I'd like. Had to add a 19 pound anchor for mental well-being and sense of security.
Motoring characterisitcs	I've got a 5hp Honda - has been quite sufficient in all tidal bores and rips.
Liveability	Spartan - spent 9 days cruising up the Maine coast with a buddy - it was a little better than camping. Used a Coleman stove and washed up in a bucket of seawater. Got a few showers in at marinas and yacht clubs. I would do it again, though - saw some remote islands that few ever visit.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
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