Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-18 by Larry Hoyt

Year built	1996
Location of boat	Houghton Lake, Michigan
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	6
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1999
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, yes, and yes. This the 5th sailor I have had from 12 ft. to 25 ft. and she is the best.
Gear that's been added	None. For what I use her for, nothing more is needed. Roller reefed head sail is great for sailing single, nothing more required by me.
Structural or complex improvements	None
The boat's best features	Was worried about how well she would point up wind when I got her but I must say the wing keel is great and she points as well or better than any boat I have had to date. A note to all first time sail boat owners or anyone who is playing with the idea of becoming one. This boat, to the best of my knowledge can not be turned over. I have layed her over as far as I can get her to heal. By the way this is with the wing keel. At 35 degree heal, wing keel and the rudder being the same depth, she will self save herself and come around into the wind and nothing more than letting wind out of the sails will stop this from happening. SO, great boat for beginners.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Nothing
Sailing characterisitcs	Have only used this boat for day sailing, mostly solo but the wife enjoys sailing to if the conditions are no to severe. Me I like to be standing on the side the the seat opposite me but the lady of the house likes to coast. So I have done everything from bob up and down to the other end of the chart but after 25 mph winds it gets to be to much work unless I were to add extra reefing to the main sail. Have also once put her into Lake Huron at Cheyboygan, Mich. and sailed her 25 miles up to Mackinaw Island and stayed on board over nignt at the state docks. Comfee enough for 1 or 2 nights for two people. Just use and about 50 or 60 28 to 50 foot boat there. Kept wondering why everone kept coming to use and asking so many questions about our boat.I
Motoring characterisitcs	i have a 6hp Evenrude and it is overkill, less weight to the one side would be better. As far as using the motor, well it is as an absolute last straw. In the last 5 years it may have about 12 hours on it. I will if alone, wait till the sun is going down to resort to the use of a motor. If the wife is with me, she starts screaming at me after about 1 hour of bobing up and down so it becomes the choice of the lesser of the two evils. In my oppion they put motors on those flat things with pontoons on either side. I sail my boat right into my boat slip if humanly possible as I watch the marinia owners hold their breathes every time.
Liveability	Not to be lived on. It is however good for stowage and getting out of the weather. Works ok for 1 or 2 nights. If you were to trailor her for a distance, it would work as well as a motel, just equip with a 13 inch AC DC TV.Can handle 2 adults and two children for that amount of time. ac dc tv
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Not much experince. Did order a new hatch door from the factory and they sent me a door 1 inch to tall and I had to cut it to the right size myself.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Bought the boat from midwest sail in Pickney Michigan, thats down by Lansing and Jackson Michigan. They have been just great when I have requested anything from them.
Other comments	If you subscribe to sail Magazine or any of the other book out there well I do not know about you but I seem to get the feeling that they all seen to think all of us out here are in the 6 digit income bracket. Some one could make a lot of money if they put out a book cattering to the small 22 ft and under class with small cabins. Aim at the day sailors and weekenders who want light,portable and easly launched and retreived units. People who want to try a lot of differint waters and have a few of the conviences of home without having to buy 30 ft and up. This is not aimed at Catalina, as it goes they do not do to bad in this class but very few think about us little guys.

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