Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-18 by Walter Boldys

Year built	1986
Location of boat	Marblehead, Massachusetts
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1997
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes. I wanted to buy a 22 or 25 footer but none was available at a reasonble price at the time. I have few complaints except that it can be too small for some of the seas I encounter off Cape Ann in the spring and fall. A traveler would be welcome, but it is not practical given the boat's size. This is a very good boat for a beginning sailor.
Gear that's been added	No. But I would add a roller furler jib if I intended to keep the boat much longer. A genoa helps a lot in medium to light air.
Structural or complex improvements	No.
The boat's best features	The boat is easy to sail single handed and points well. It is well balanced and very responsive. Whenever I have gotten into trouble, it has been my fault, not the boat's. The cockpit is quite large and comfortable for a small boat.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The boat has held up very well since I bought it. There have been no major problems. She still looks pretty.
Sailing characterisitcs	For a small beamy keel boat, she's not slow. But I often wish for more speed, especially in light air. In wind above 20 knots, it is difficult to keep the boat on her feet. Choppy seas are an ordeal. This is probably an ideal boat for large lakes, rather than for salt water.
Motoring characterisitcs	I have a 4.5 horsepower outboard. It gives me all the power I need to drive the boat at five knots into a strong headwind.
Liveability	It is too small for on board living but the cabin is fine for getting out of the weather.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I bought it used. I overpaid because I wanted to get a boat quickly.
Other comments	I love her but it's time for a larger boat.

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