Capri 14.2 with other boats

Pkbrown

New Member
Hi, I am a new sailor looking for my first boat and I am very interested in a catalina 14. My main interest is to get a boat that I can single-hand or take 1-2 other people with me and have a good time learning to sail. However I would also like a boat that would be fun for my local informal racing get-togethers. My local sailing spot (Jordan Lake, NC) has very active Laser and Flying Scot groups that often have informal mixed races on weekends. I know both the Laser and FS are planing designs, but would the Catalina at least be able to move along with these other two boats and keep it interesting if well handled? Or would I simply be left behind?
 
I cannot comment on other the small boats, I have not sailed/raced against FJ or Lasers.

I have sailed and raced my Capri 14.2 with my sailing club quite often. I race against mostly big boats, 18'-30' -- We have a lot of Catalina 22's, several hunters from 22'-30', a J-22, and a mix of other boats. I do pretty well against the big boats, except for the J-22 which is just a rocket compared to all the other boats. I was neck-n-neck with the Hunter 30 last week, upwind I could point a little better and would pull ahead, but downwind he would catch up and pass me. Good news is that my handicap is much more favorable than the 30' and many of the others. If I finish along with the big boats I will always correct over them.

I love my Capri, but I would suggest that if there is mostly fleet racing in your area you should try to buy a boat to match that fleet... if you want to compete with them.

I have sailed/raced my Capri solo, with 1 crew, and once in the Gulf of Mexico with 4 on the boat and all 4 of us hiking out.

-Robert
 
You might want to look at the Catalina 14.2 Expo. It is easy to rig, easy to single hand and keeps up with the 14.2. the deck is essentially the same as the 14.2. I was talking to my Catalina dealer recently and he said that since the 14.2 Expo had come out he has seen a noticeable decrease in sales of the 14.2 in favor of the Expo. Just a thought.
 
Hi, I am a new sailor looking for my first boat and I am very interested in a catalina 14. My main interest is to get a boat that I can single-hand or take 1-2 other people with me and have a good time learning to sail. However I would also like a boat that would be fun for my local informal racing get-togethers. My local sailing spot (Jordan Lake, NC) has very active Laser and Flying Scot groups that often have informal mixed races on weekends. I know both the Laser and FS are planing designs, but would the Catalina at least be able to move along with these other two boats and keep it interesting if well handled? Or would I simply be left behind?
Lasers and Flying Scotts will leave you behind. Checkout the Portsmouth Ratings.
 

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