I have questions for Catalina 16.5 owners. I currently own a Hunter 146 sailboat that has been a fun learning experience for my family. I have, however, had problems with it and also some things about its performance that I don't like. I am thinking seriously about buying a Catalina 16.5 but I want to make sure I am improving my situation. I would be most grateful if 16.5 owners could answer a few questions. Thank you! 1). My Hunter is made of plastic and the first hull cracked so badly the factory replaced it. My replacement hull now is beginning to crack. I know Catalinas are fiberglass. Do these hulls last many years or do they have (non collision related) cracking problems or other issues that I should watch out for? 2). My current sailboat has a very round bottom. I hate how it tips so much just getting in it from a dock. Is a 16.5 tippy due to its shape? Does it sail flat or heel a lot even in a moderate wind? 3). I want to put a gasoline motor on the sailboat to be able to traverse a very long channel to reach my sailing lake. Can a 16.5 handle a small four stroke without being out of balance? 4). My 17 year old wants a faster sailboat. Wife and I like to leisure sale. Can the 16.5 satisfy both? Thanks everybody!
Should I buy a Capri 16.5?
- Thread starter Wayne Arnold
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Why not move up to a catalina 22?
WAYNE Sell the hunter and buy a catalina22. The c22 have a very large base over 15,000 boats. Racing is very competitive. The last race on Lake Lanier Ga had over 50 boats from all over the US. There are organized cruises in several locations. I have been on the northern gulf coast cruise for the last 7 years and don't plan to miss any of the next ones. The c22 ranges from 0 to 20k in price so ther is one for every budget. The c22 can be pulled by most vehicles in the 6cyl explorer size and up. The c22 is easy to single hand but provides pleanty of positions for others to join in the sailing. The best reason of all Your wife will like the onboard facilities.
WAYNE Sell the hunter and buy a catalina22. The c22 have a very large base over 15,000 boats. Racing is very competitive. The last race on Lake Lanier Ga had over 50 boats from all over the US. There are organized cruises in several locations. I have been on the northern gulf coast cruise for the last 7 years and don't plan to miss any of the next ones. The c22 ranges from 0 to 20k in price so ther is one for every budget. The c22 can be pulled by most vehicles in the 6cyl explorer size and up. The c22 is easy to single hand but provides pleanty of positions for others to join in the sailing. The best reason of all Your wife will like the onboard facilities.
Catalina 22
I think that Robert is right on. We have a Catalina 22 and love the boat. We sail it on Henderson Bay, Lake Ontario. You will have a ball with this boat, and he is right, there are many to choose from. You start to get a big boat feel with the 22. You will not get it at all with the 16. The boat will handle alot of different conditions, and you will never be sorry that you moved up. Good luck Dale
I think that Robert is right on. We have a Catalina 22 and love the boat. We sail it on Henderson Bay, Lake Ontario. You will have a ball with this boat, and he is right, there are many to choose from. You start to get a big boat feel with the 22. You will not get it at all with the 16. The boat will handle alot of different conditions, and you will never be sorry that you moved up. Good luck Dale
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