Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-14.2 by Endre Gastony

Year built	1995
Location of boat	Sarasota, FL
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	2003
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	No. It is not a really comfortbale family daysailer, which I was looking for, because under certain conditions the occupants must constantly shift their weights laterally in the narrow cockpit. And it does not seem to be a really stable boat over about 12 knots in choppy waters when loaded -- not a likely enhancement for a happy family outing. Though the cockpit is long enough, the stern section is barely usable because the skipper, crew, and passengers must sit at the front of the boat for decent handling. It is also overcanvassed -- too much sail footage for the design and the weight, but if you sail it on the main alone, which you can do fine, then you lose the pulling power of the jib. You need to watch the centerboard depth as well in order to prevent too much heel. It is certainly a fine looking boat, gets many compliments, and it may be fun to race, but as I read at times even racers have an intersting time taming this high spirited lady. In my humble opinion, you must be an agile, experienced small-boat sailor in order to sail it well, it's not a boat for beginners, and you must have a capable crew, otherwise you are better off sailing it alone, unless the wind is low and the water is smooth. Make certain to test sail it under various conditions before you buy. (It has been very frustrating not to have found any detailed reviews on this boat prior to its purchase.)
Gear that's been added	Yes, added a "boom kicker" to hold up the boom.
Structural or complex improvements	Just a minor change of adding a holding clip for the tiller extention, which also prevents the tiller from sliding backward as you sail.
The boat's best features	She is attractive, well built, of good quality, parts are readily available from various sources, easy to trailer, and seems to hold its value. The 1995 has a good, useful cuddy. It is a modern boat, double hulled, self-bailing, floatation equipped, with a centerboard placed out of the way. There is lots of headroom under the boom and she is equipped with comfortable bench seats. The sails are expertly designed and cut. She is a "looker."
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The jib cars protrude dangerously at a busy location. At certain elevations, the centerboard seems reluctant to move. Otherwise, she is a well put together, solid, and a sturdy little boat.
Sailing characterisitcs	Please see the first section. Handles waves well, tacks well, jibes fine, and points well, very responsive, and fairly fast. But she is tender, tippy, unstable in certain conditons, and becomes temperemental over 15 knots of wind. Her identity is questionable -- is she a generally reliable daysailer as well as a good racer? All I can do is cratch my head.
Motoring characterisitcs	No experience.
Liveability	Not applicable.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Received fine, polite, and professional treatment.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Not applicable.
Other comments	A fine company with a great reputation like Catalina should ask if this boat is in need of a review of design, for the sake of establishing for it a clear identity. Is she a daysailer or a racer? Is she an entry-level "fun" boat or a sophisticated vessel for experienced small-boat sailors? Although hardly an expert on nautical design, here goes my "two-cents worth."

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