Catalina Expo 14.2

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paulsheller

Administrator
I've started a thread here to discuss this boat. Until Lark posted a comment about it in another thread, I was unaware of its existance.

Lark, tell us about this boat. Do you like it? How does it sail? Is it as stable as Catalina says on their website? It looks like a large family would be very comfortable in this boat.
 
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edsandra

New Member
Here is the link to the Catilina 14.2 Expo Web Site http://www.catalinayachts.com/yachts.cfm?act=model&id=49

The hull is the same. The main difference is the sail plan: "The SmartRig® system consists of a tapered carbon fiber mast and deck stepped Hoyt boom. Just two lines control all the sail’s power. One line controls the sail size, while the mainsheet line shapes the sail. Strong, yet flexible, the mast bends in the gusty conditions instead of the boat heeling excessively. Having far less weight than an aluminum mast, the boat is more stable, with less tipping. At the end of the day, just pull the furling line and the sail wraps completely around the mast. The mast and boom are free-standing and have no wires or chainplates to work around."

Sounds like a neat idea. It will be intersting to get Lark's first hand accounts.
 
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Lark

New Member
Maiden Voyage

Went out for our first sail yesterday in our new EXPO 14.2 (sail no. 45). We're sailing at Duessen Park, just outside of Houston. Of course, the ramp and the lake near the ramp were crazy with jet skis etc. Took us 10 minutes to step the mast, attach the tiller. We keep the main rolled around the mast , all in a long canvas bag. Just take of the bag and place the mast in the hole in the deck, then the base fits over a pin. The pin, incidentally, is on a built up base from the hull, so it looks very substantial. The boom can stay on the boat, but it won't fit in the garage that way. It fits in a second hole/pin aft of the mast. Anyway, step the mast and launch. We don't have a motor (do we want the aggravation - we'll see). The unrolling of the sail doesn't work as well as advertised. The dealer said it wouldn't. Pulling on the outhaul just won't do it, you have to reach up and spin the mast manually. You can't just put out as much sail as you want because the main clew has a strap that must (?) be attached to the boom AFT of the mainsheet atttachment. Anyway, this still gives you a pretty good reef as this is a 3-4' length. So, we pulled out the main and took off. The boat sailed great, very responsive. We didn't feel 'tippy' at all. The winds were light, 5 kts with gusts to 10. We sailed a mile or so downwind then tacked all the way back. She tacked like a dream. We made it through EVERY tack, very unusual. This may be because this is really a cat rig, so we probably have more weather helm than a sloop rig. At the dock, one pull on the reefing line, after unhitching the clew strap!, and the main completely rolled around the mast. Nice! Retrieving to the trailer was a hassle. I have side posts ordered to mount just forward of the "wide part" to help. Need to get a wider roller for the forward-most one. Why do they put these crappy 5" rollers on trailers? All in all, we had a blast. The rigging was very simple and fast. This is what we wanted, as the first mate starts to balk at going sailing with all the mast raising etc etc work.
 
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SoCalSailing

New Member
I had a great call with Jeff at Lynn Sailboats in Houston. He has new Expos and is very informative. I'm looking to pay a bit less, if I can, so I will hold off on a new one for now.
 
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