Catalina Capri (Catalina 18) in high winds?

[bzano]

If I can chime in again I second this suggestion about the sails. I replaced my mainsail a few years ago with a brand new one. Best money i spent! The old original blown out baggy sails made the boat heel like hell. The new crisp flattened mainsail made all the difference.

 

[john6206]

Before I bought mine, I read a review that said that it would take an incredible combination of high wind, poor decisions and bad luck to knock down the Capri 18 (might have been in small craft advisor). I try not to challenge that theory, but I've been caught in some heavy stuff a couple times, and it seems to stay on it's feet pretty well.

The rudder is shallower than the keel, so if it heels over far enough it will theoretically round up before it goes over.

 

[bzano]

Yes capsizing is. rare event however you have think about high winds beating up on your boat. The rigging, mast, sails (torn) is what gusty winds and whitecaps can do to your boat. Sometimes you get caught in a blow so you just have to get through it. Just speaking from experience.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As a dealer, I dealt with many owning small trailerable sailboats many of which I introduced. The majority of sailors were out for a pleasureable sail who feared going foward in high seas and wind to take down a hanker on jib. Although condition of sails, gimmicks reducing or taking the jib down, etc., most did not want to go forward for fear of safety.

First I was a believer in training and every boat leaving my yard regardless new or brokerage, everyone received training. Secondly, every new sailboat received a CDI system unless the buyer said no. CDI was preferred due to ease, simplicity and flexibility. With that , I had a.large following. This roller furling was recommended

 

[Barnacle Bill]

If you buy a roller furler with the idea of partially furling the jib to shorten sail in heavier winds you don't want a CDI. While they work well, they aren't designed for furling like say a Schaefer Snap Furl is (which is another flexible extrusion system) or a more expensive system. Always best to shorten sail when the wind pipes up. With a fractional rig, most of your horsepower is coming off your mainsail, so reef that and keep the jib up as you will have more control of the boat going to weather. A fractional rig would not have a 150% genoa because it isn't designed for it. More likely a 135% or less. I think the Capri is pretty simpler rigged than some other boats, but if you had a traveler, then you would lower that to leeward in the heavier stuff and if you have genoa tracks, you could also adjust them aft to help depower the headsail. Then there is steering techniques to learn like sticking the jib high into the wind - what I call feathering - where the inside tell tales are flying up and the outside are straight back. You can have amazing control if you learn how steer in the heavy stuff. Lastly, yes, you can knock your boat down if the wind is heavy enough and you aren't quick to dump the sails. But, it will come back up unless you filling the interior of the boat with water. In extreme conditions, you shouldn't be out there, but if you are, then close up the cabin.

 

[Hayden Watson]

This won't work because the clew will be in the wrong place. The clew needs to be at the same level as the tack. If you don't move the clew you will end up with a big baggy section of sail that will be inefficient and tend to cause the boat to heel more and detract from pointing ability.

Back before roller reefing of the head sail was a normal thing, many boats had reefing head sails. They had additional reef cringles for the tack and clue and reef points across belly of the sail between them just like on a main sail. To reef, you lower the halyard, pass a line through the reef tack and cleat it down, move the sheets up to the reef clew and rehoise. Here is a video of a small boat with the setup. He is sailing happly in 20-knts with 110% and reefed main but the wind starts blowing harder so he puts in the first of two reefs he has in the jib.