The Capri 26 is a cruiser rather than a racer, but a high-performance cruiser, if you will.
Some top speed was indeed sacrificed in favor of comfort.
But it has the Capri hull shape, wind rig and cockpit, so the performance potential is there.
It's just slightly scaled back.
Temptress is a beautiful boat. We loved her a lot.
It's actually a few inches LARGER than a Catalina 27, at least where it counts.
The waterline is a few inches longer due to the 27's long overhangs.
The 10 foot beam (!) is wonderful. Makes for a roomy cabin.
And gives her wide shoulders to lean on on the wind.
I raced a neighbor's Catalina 27 under power for 6 miles across the lake one evening.
We had identical 9.9 HP Yamaha engines.
After 6 miles at full throttle, neither boat had gained a foot.
She has Simrad wind and water instruments on a swing out panel.
She has a TP-10 tiller pilot, but I never figured out the sail-to-wind part.
With the right sails she pointed like a hunting dog.
VERY impressive performance.
But her flat sails (7.5% camber at 18% chord) are not the same full-batten cruising sails Catalina provided!
We had them made by Mariner Sails in Dallas.
Oh, she couldn't take a Capri 25. Few boats can.
But with those sails, going to weather she could make a Capri 25 wonder what in the world was going on!
And she could show her cute transom to most of the rest of the fleet, including boats with much longer waterlines.
Downside with those sails is they are very unforgiving on the helm.
You HAVE to pay attention to the wind or the sails stall and lose all drive.
The analog display of wind speed and direction and GPS (Garmin color plotter) boat speed made that easier.
But you still have to pay attention.
Below there is a full galley, enclosed full head, and spacious lounge.
I had a ball customizing the interior.
I varnished all the interior woodwork. (clinical evidence of mental instability?)
Made a lift-out cabin door arrangement that was (IMHO) the best thing since sliced bread.
Custom electrical panel with everything in one place.
LED indirect lighting in the cabin.
Even central air conditioning and heating.
But like I said, the emphasis was (obviously) comfortable cruising.
