Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina Capri-18 by Ron Houston

Year built	1989
Location of boat	Michigan
The boat is sailed on	The Great Lakes
How the boat is used	Multi-week coastal cruising
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1997
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Definitely
Gear that's been added	Boomkicker. Cam cleats with roller fairleads for jib sheets.
Structural or complex improvements	Built custom galley/sliding table for the Vee
The boat's best features	Incredibly stable boat with a good turn of speed and comforatable interior for overnighting.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.
Sailing characterisitcs	100% jib on roller furler with winches mounted on cabin top gives good pointing ability.
Motoring characterisitcs	Originally came with previous owners 9.9 HP. Too much engine that would send backwash back trough scuppers soaking feet. Switched to 6hp, much better but still a bit overpowered. Motor use limited to getting out of marina.
Liveability	The wife and I go out for a week at a time, but spend nights in marinas due to limited areas for overnighting.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Bought from Midwest Sailing in Pinckney, Michigan. I haven't needed to go back there.
Other comments	Boat is sailed off trailer although docked in rented slips. Full launch and retrieve takes very little time and usually goes well. Have been known to go whole seasons with out getting my feet wet. This was my first sailboat. Since then I have bought and have or sold many others, but the Capri remains.

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