Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-16.5 by Les O

Year built	2001
Location of boat	Lake Texoma, Oklahoma side
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2004
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	In a heartbeat. I previously owned a JY14 which was enjoyable, but only large enough for 2 people. Three or four people is very comfortable and up to six would probably be do-able.
Gear that's been added	So far only a boom crutch to help with set up. Fits right into the gudgeons where the rudder attaches. I'll probably make a tiller tamer and will somewhere along the line add reef points for the sails. At around 25, the wind feels a little tricky. (I've only sailed ANTSY about a 1/2 dozen times as of this writing.)
Structural or complex improvements	None needed yet, none done.
The boat's best features	I enjoy the large storage hold in the bow, something my JY14 didn't have. But I found I should NOT leave stuff in there that can mold. The heat in this part of the country is so intense that weather changes seem to produce moisture and then mold can grow. Too bad, I had hoped to leave life jackets under there.I love the high sides and the comfortable area that you can sit on above the seats (forget what that area is called) that lets you hike out. It's such a comfortable area to sit. You can see better from there too.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I have to learn how to use the tiller extension. I don't feel comfortable with it when the wind really picks up.I wish the thing where the mainsheet attaches to the block on the boat turned all the way around instead of 1/2 way. Let's face it... we're always changing tacks and I think that would help.However, everything "works".
Sailing characterisitcs	Great little boat. Sails well in light wind but gets a little touchy in winds around 25. I'm still learning with this boat but I don't really have any complaints. She doesn't seem to point as high as my JY14 did, but this may just be part of my learning curve.My wife likes this boat and so do my son and daughter so that makes me happy!
Motoring characterisitcs	I use a little electric trolling motor which works OK on flat water (but s-l-o-w!). Tomorrow I will FINALLY order a little Honda 2hp 4-stroke. Clean and reliable. I truly hope to not have to use it much. I would love for anyone who motors a small boat like this to e-mail me and tell me what works best... keel up? Down? Use rudder to steer? Use motor to steer? Thanks!
Liveability	I live on ANTSY for periods of 4-6 hours while daysailing. That's enough, thanks!
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	N/A
Other comments	Seems like a very solid boat. It's light and easy to launch/retrieve and yet holds a handful of people and doesn't take much to make her go. I'm happy. :)

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