PAGE 6 • AUTUMN 2005 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
FEATURED SAILBOAT • CATALINA CAPRI 22
By Mike Tolda, ASA Sailing Instructor and owner of Sailing Ventures, South Lake Tahoe
The Capri 22’s larger cockpit allows for easier movement and
comfort in teaching.
The Challenge:
Over the years, I have trained sailors around the country
on a variety of sailboats with generally mixed opinions
about the boats. Several schools used boats that I
thought were too performance oriented. Common
drawbacks on these boats were complicated rigging and
lack of room on deck. When a training vessel has too
many lines coming into the cockpit, a novice sailor who
needs to focus on basics can be intimidated and
While it is generally used for daysailing, the Capri 22 provides
ample space below deck and a private area for the call of nature.
confused. Performance sailboats by design are rigged for
racing, not training. This design approach tends to result
If you are interested in the Capri 22, contact the ASA so we
in the boat being cramped both above and below decks.
can put you in touch with an ASA Catalina dealer near you!
My requirements:
such as low-maintenance for the staff. While the below
I sought a boat that was rigged in a simple,
deck accommodations are Spartan, there is plenty of
straightforward manner. A large cockpit would allow for
room to stow gear and equipment. A porta potti head and
easy movement and comfort. Roomy side decks for safe
privacy curtain allow the call of nature to be satisfied for
access to the bow would be helpful for anchoring drills. A
those longer day sails. Most importantly, this boat
fixed keel (fin or wing) and good sailing characteristics
responds quickly to adjustments at the helm while being
were necessary so students would not be confronted with
sure and predictable on all points of sail.
odd boat behavior when training. A boat that was too stiff
or too tender would also pose problems to sailing students.
The Capri 22 is a good choice for someone looking for a
(very) affordable sailboat designed for on-deck comfort. It
is not intended primarily as a “camper” sailboat. Though
The Capri 22:
it holds six, this would make for cramped conditions
In 2001, I began using the redesigned Capri 22 as a overnight. Rather than trying to squeeze lots of features
Basic Keelboat training vessel and sailing club boat. My and comforts into 22 feet, Catalina has wisely chosen to
instructors agree that it is well suited to these functions. provide ample wide-open spaces on deck. All in all, the
The Capri 22 delivers all the qualities I sought for Capri 22 is a tremendous value for a boat that can be
training at a reasonable price. It affords other virtues purchased brand new for under $20,000. R
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