Some basic questions

Chilidog

New Member
I’m thinking of buying a new boat.

I grew up sailing a sunfish and an old catfish that a friends dad owned.

I still have the sunfish, although it is seriously waterlogged and I am working on drying it out.

My problem is that I want to teach my 11 year old son to sail. If I get the sunfish fixed up, he might eventually be able to sail it on his own, but I’ve (ahem) out grown the boat.

I’m a tall man pushing 275 lbs and as such I’m a little too big for the fish. Anyway, I’ve been thinking of buying a new or slightly used boat big enough for me, my son and my wife to sail in comfortably.

I have access to a medium / small lake in Illinois, but I also want to be able to trailer to other (bigger) lakes for day sailing trips.

What’s a reasonable weight limit for the 14.2? What about the 16.5? (there is a 1990 used one available near me)

Any suggestions?
 
fathers and sons

My motive for buying my capri was the same as yours - teaching my sons to sail, and we have been very happy with it. The great thing about the capri is that it has a lot of rigging and adjustments that can really keep two people occupied. I've sailed small and large boats and the capri has all the rigging you'll find on a large cruiser: vang, furling, two sails, wisker pole, etc. More in fact if you consider the adjustable centerboard. The small size of the boat means that you can really feel the effects of trimming the sails and adjusting the fin. The boat is really fun to sail and I think it is better for training than a sunfish because it really is a two person boat. It is small enough to trailer with my subaru outback, and it's easy to get in and out of the water. BTW it is a snap to rig in maybe 15 minutes. Good luck!
-J

P.S. My son and I (total 300#) we've sailed with a 6'4" professional football player as a passenger! We've had as many as four adults in it. I don't think your size will be any problem. But it really is a two person boat. There isn't a lot of room for passengers.
 
I'll 2nd the comments about the boat's rigging. One of the reasons I got a 14.2 over a sunfish, or other boat is that it really does seem to have the same features as much larger boats. A great learning platform. This is my first summer out with the boat and I've only been out about 6 times, but I would say it might be a bit small for your needs. I've found that about two adults on the boat is the max you would want if you are going to do any spirited sailing. The 16.5 would probably be a better fit.
 
The Capri is a great boat for families. I've had four adults and my daughter on board while sailing at the lake at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford. We didn't move as fast as we would have with only two adults, but we all had fun. I've never sailed at Busse Woods, but I hear it's fine for small boats. Lake Shabbona at Shabbona State Park is good too, but the dead trees sticking out in the middle might wreck havoc with the centerboard, so steer clear.

Check out Northwest Sailing Association in Arlington Heights if you're looking for a social sailing club.

If you need help or have any questions about the Capri, email me directly at [email protected]. I'm in Naperville. Interestingly, I went to Wheeling High School!
 

Back
Top