Hi,I'm a 67 year old guy in above average shape for my age. Am able to single handle all aspects of operating my 14.2 swing keel Capri:
**Launch/retrieve was simplified by adding a pair of those upright guides that bolt onto the trailer.
**Step/lower mast with the help of a wooden crutch device I made up from 2x4's. It sits on floor of cockpit towards the rear of boat, allows for mast to sit about a foot above the transom. Also improves the way mast sits while trailering and stored.
**Got a nice little dolly that allows to pull trailer by hand in case you want to store it somewhere that's not accessible by car.
**Boat feels a bit on the tender side until you get used to it, then it becomes a sweetheart to sail. If you're not a good sailor, then this boat's not for you! **Added a set of reef points and a homemade system to hoist/lower jib. Also a tiller clutch that allows for leaving the helm to handle sails while underway. And a small lightweight Minkota trolling motor which makes it simple to move around in docking and boat traffic situations. Not to mention if the wind were to quit while you're out there!
**Sailed a Catalina 22 on Lake Michigan for 5 years and see my Capri as a baby version of that wonderful boat. Only difference is that the big guy had a 550 lb keel and Capri needs my 195 lb gut to give the stability needed, since the board has no weight. The fixed keel model of Capri is far more stable but also a huge PITA to launch/retrieve alone! The swing board makes for better pointing to weather than the fixed keel model, but only with the help of my agile movement on the boat.
In closing I would say that the 16.5 would be superior in room and stability, but on the flipside could be a fair amount harder for an old guy like me to operate singlehandedly. I'll keep mine as long as my body holds up!
PS, if anybody wants to see pics of my improvements let me know and I'll post them.
Cheers!
Probably actually going to meet the guy to go over it tomorrow or Saturday so will have some pics and more info then.Have any pics of that 95' 16.5 you are considering?
2K would be a good deal if it doesn't need any work.
Just picked up a 87 14.2 in near mint condition for 1K with good trailer.
They are both great value.
I'm a 67 year old guy in above average shape for my age. Am able to single handle all aspects of operating my 14.2 swing keel Capri:
**Launch/retrieve was simplified by adding a pair of those upright guides that bolt onto the trailer.
**Step/lower mast with the help of a wooden crutch device I made up from 2x4's. It sits on floor of cockpit towards the rear of boat, allows for mast to sit about a foot above the transom. Also improves the way mast sits while trailering and stored.
**Got a nice little dolly that allows to pull trailer by hand in case you want to store it somewhere that's not accessible by car.
**Boat feels a bit on the tender side until you get used to it, then it becomes a sweetheart to sail. If you're not a good sailor, then this boat's not for you! **Added a set of reef points and a homemade system to hoist/lower jib. Also a tiller clutch that allows for leaving the helm to handle sails while underway. And a small lightweight Minkota trolling motor which makes it simple to move around in docking and boat traffic situations. Not to mention if the wind were to quit while you're out there!
**Sailed a Catalina 22 on Lake Michigan for 5 years and see my Capri as a baby version of that wonderful boat. Only difference is that the big guy had a 550 lb keel and Capri needs my 195 lb gut to give the stability needed, since the board has no weight. The fixed keel model of Capri is far more stable but also a huge PITA to launch/retrieve alone! The swing board makes for better pointing to weather than the fixed keel model, but only with the help of my agile movement on the boat.
In closing I would say that the 16.5 would be superior in room and stability, but on the flipside could be a fair amount harder for an old guy like me to operate singlehandedly. I'll keep mine as long as my body holds up!
PS, if anybody wants to see pics of my improvements let me know and I'll post them.
Cheers!
Thanks man!!OK I found the pics, check them out!
Can you provide any details on how you added the reef points? Are spur grommets used? Or just light weight grommets? How many layers of reinforcement at reef points? Thanks!I'm a 67 year old guy in above average shape for my age. Am able to single handle all aspects of operating my 14.2 swing keel Capri:
**Launch/retrieve was simplified by adding a pair of those upright guides that bolt onto the trailer.
**Step/lower mast with the help of a wooden crutch device I made up from 2x4's. It sits on floor of cockpit towards the rear of boat, allows for mast to sit about a foot above the transom. Also improves the way mast sits while trailering and stored.
**Got a nice little dolly that allows to pull trailer by hand in case you want to store it somewhere that's not accessible by car.
**Boat feels a bit on the tender side until you get used to it, then it becomes a sweetheart to sail. If you're not a good sailor, then this boat's not for you! **Added a set of reef points and a homemade system to hoist/lower jib. Also a tiller clutch that allows for leaving the helm to handle sails while underway. And a small lightweight Minkota trolling motor which makes it simple to move around in docking and boat traffic situations. Not to mention if the wind were to quit while you're out there!
**Sailed a Catalina 22 on Lake Michigan for 5 years and see my Capri as a baby version of that wonderful boat. Only difference is that the big guy had a 550 lb keel and Capri needs my 195 lb gut to give the stability needed, since the board has no weight. The fixed keel model of Capri is far more stable but also a huge PITA to launch/retrieve alone! The swing board makes for better pointing to weather than the fixed keel model, but only with the help of my agile movement on the boat.
In closing I would say that the 16.5 would be superior in room and stability, but on the flipside could be a fair amount harder for an old guy like me to operate singlehandedly. I'll keep mine as long as my body holds up!
PS, if anybody wants to see pics of my improvements let me know and I'll post them.
Cheers!