Expo 14.2

I took delivery of my new Expo 14.2 last week from Tikiwatersports in Key Largo, FL. It is a terrific boat and suits my personal needs better than anything else I've ever owned, ( I've owned quite a few under 28' sailboats in my 50 yr. sailing pursuit). Motor mount on port side of stern holds my Honda 2.3 with no problem, and I could not be happier with the performance, and ease of operation. Most of my sailing is single handed, and the furling main/hoyt boom combo are exceptionally nice. Very decent windward performance, and when a squall approached, furled in the sail a bit, and was able to drink my coffee. I wanted a decent performance boat that was the easiest to rig, and single hand. I can't imagine anything better. Catalina really did a great job on this boat. Perfect single hand performance boat that you can still enjoy the scenery and a beverage while sailing. Top notch components, everything works great together, and from arrival to launch at the ramp is maybe 15 min.

20150427_092414-2.jpg
 
They are great boats. Just sold my 12 and picked up a 14. It's not much harder to beach launch and much more room and speed.
 
Obviously, they are not given much acknowledgement by the C14 purist, based on the responses to my original post. However, in the spectrum of small single-handed sailing, they are awesome. So simple to rig, launch, retrieve, and sail, and yet capable of excellent performance. For someone that wants to solo sail, or sail with inexperienced crew, I cannot think of a better boat. Enjoy your new Expo14.2
 
I just picked up a new Expo 14.2 from a local dealer in NJ. Sailed on Round Valley on a windless day. It moved even with "almost" no wind. One question, though: When you trailer the boat, at the dealer's recommendation, I took off the Hoyt boom and struggle to tie it inside the boat--it is very awkward. Can you trailer it with the boom installed? I am afraid it may damage the hole since that is the only lateral support for the long aluminum pipe.

Schan
 
I trailer my 14.2 with the boom in place and I trailered the 12 with the boom in place as well. I never had an issue. That doesn't mean nothing would ever happen. But the boom is awkward to lay in the cockpit, I'm going to live dangerously and keep going the way I'm going.
 
I took delivery of my new Expo 14.2 last week from Tikiwatersports in Key Largo, FL. It is a terrific boat and suits my personal needs better than anything else I've ever owned, ( I've owned quite a few under 28' sailboats in my 50 yr. sailing pursuit). Motor mount on port side of stern holds my Honda 2.3 with no problem, and I could not be happier with the performance, and ease of operation. Most of my sailing is single handed, and the furling main/hoyt boom combo are exceptionally nice. Very decent windward performance, and when a squall approached, furled in the sail a bit, and was able to drink my coffee. I wanted a decent performance boat that was the easiest to rig, and single hand. I can't imagine anything better. Catalina really did a great job on this boat. Perfect single hand performance boat that you can still enjoy the scenery and a beverage while sailing. Top notch components, everything works great together, and from arrival to launch at the ramp is maybe 15 min.

View attachment 17160


Can you recommend any good launching/sailing areas in the keys for the expo? We are coming down in August to camp for a few nights and we'll be bringing our Expo as well.

July Sailing with our new Catalina Expo 14.2 by Dom, on Flickr
 
Just about anywhere you can find a spot to launch is a great spot. The water is beautiful, the best part of being in the Keys is to be on the water.

BTW I take my boom down to trailer. The boat is high on the trailer and with the boom up, I can't back it into the garage.
 
Just about anywhere you can find a spot to launch is a great spot. The water is beautiful, the best part of being in the Keys is to be on the water.

BTW I take my boom down to trailer. The boat is high on the trailer and with the boom up, I can't back it into the garage.


Any launch spots you can recommend?
 
Just about anywhere you can find a spot to launch is a great spot. The water is beautiful, the best part of being in the Keys is to be on the water.

BTW I take my boom down to trailer. The boat is high on the trailer and with the boom up, I can't back it into the garage.

I checked with the manufacturer on the boom while trailering. They said "The Hoyt boom is tied to the barney post when transporting. You don’t have to take it out." I think I will try using an anchor line to tie the front part of the boom to the front cleat to reduce the backward pressure around the boom hold.
 
I took delivery of my new Expo 14.2 last week from Tikiwatersports in Key Largo, FL. It is a terrific boat and suits my personal needs better than anything else I've ever owned, ( I've owned quite a few under 28' sailboats in my 50 yr. sailing pursuit). Motor mount on port side of stern holds my Honda 2.3 with no problem, and I could not be happier with the performance, and ease of operation. Most of my sailing is single handed, and the furling main/hoyt boom combo are exceptionally nice. Very decent windward performance, and when a squall approached, furled in the sail a bit, and was able to drink my coffee. I wanted a decent performance boat that was the easiest to rig, and single hand. I can't imagine anything better. Catalina really did a great job on this boat. Perfect single hand performance boat that you can still enjoy the scenery and a beverage while sailing. Top notch components, everything works great together, and from arrival to launch at the ramp is maybe 15 min.

View attachment 17160
Enjoy. Always wear a life preserver on an unballasted boat or be ready for a swim and rescue.
 
I trailer my 14.2 with the boom in place and I trailered the 12 with the boom in place as well. I never had an issue. That doesn't mean nothing would ever happen. But the boom is awkward to lay in the cockpit, I'm going to live dangerously and keep going the way I'm going.
Hi Jim, I live just down the street from tiki watersports. I am looking for a 14.2 expo but am concerned about stepping the mast. I almost always sail alone,
how do you step the mast and it is difficult for you.

Don
 
The mast is very light. It's easy to step solo.

If I'm launching from a beach, I'll pull the boat off the trailer in the shallows then step the mast with the boat beached. If I'm launching from a ramp I'll climb on the boat and step it while it's still securely strapped to the trailer. It's much easier to step while the boat is in the beach.
 
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The mast is very light. It's easy to step solo.

If I'm launching from a beach, I'll pull the boat off the trailer in the shallows then step the mast with the boat beached. If I'm launching from a ramp I'll climb on the boat and step it while it's still securely strapped to the trailer. It's much easier to step while the boat is in the beach.
HI. Are you the same person that has the 14.2 for sale in Clearwater fl.
Don
 
I have been reading about the advantages of a mast float to prevent turtling. Has anyone attached the "baby bob" or other float the
fiberglass mast on the expo. I cannot find a reference to anyone doing this.
Don
 
Congratulations on your beautiful Expo. I hope to get one someday.

I wonder if something like this could be adjusted? Mast Float for Top of Mainsail

In the little fleet of Capri 14.2 boats that I rent, they use a nifty bag that is not inflated but has a foam sleeve. It fits the top of the mast like a cap on a head. I've asked the marina manager to tell me more about it but haven't heard back from him yet.

The fellow behind Messing Around in Boats created his own masthead float for a Capri-like dingy - I think he first tried to adapt one for a Hobie cat
Messing About In Boats
 
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Thanks Doug, I wonder if this will work on the Expo since it has a furling main sheet mast. If you get any more feedback please let me
know. Don
 
Sure will, Don. It was like a triangle that fit at the top of the mast like a cap so I imagine it would work with the Expo's mainsheet setup
 
I have photo's and instructions for attaching a Baby Bob to the Catalina masts with clean lines and very little trouble. Other methods have been posted in the past but this design does not have a metal bracket being bolted to the mast head and setting the float off-center. I am not able to post the photo's so a friend is going to send them into here. He is out of town and will not be able to post until this coming Friday or Sat.
 
Issue number 98 of the Small Craft Advisor has an article of how to make and install a foam turtling preventer to the top of a mast. It also shows where to get the mast top float. It is the most recent issue available at West Marine and Barnes & noble.
 

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