Capt. JG wrote:
"cavelamb himself" wrote in message
hlink.net...

Richard

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/index.htm


How do you like the Capri... 18 is it? We have 4 Capri 16.5s. Great little
training boats, but a bit wet and tender for the conditions.


I like it a lot.

When I started looking for a boat I was actually thinking about an O'Day
Day Sailor. Used to sail them from NAS Pensacola in the 70's.

When I found the Capri I was amazed with how much boat Catalina had
packed into 18 feet without compromising on much of anything!

This is not a centerboard boat. She has a lead ballasted fin keel!
Stiff and weatherly - and faster than expected. (Not that I race, but
for a 16 foot waterline she really moves out) and points well.

Below decks the cabin is a lot bigger than you'd expect. Bunks are
nearly 7 feet long and quite comfy.

The new version has a much more stylish deck plan but gives up a lot
of headroom. I like this old boat a lot better.

She is 21 years old now, and wasn't in great shape whe I got her.
I've done a lot of restoration and upgrading. No major structural
problems - just years of neglect and abuse.

She's better now. New rigging, cleaned and polished. Added a bimini
top, slab reefing, VHF radio, and a host of smaller details.

Like any small boat, storage is a challenge - getting things organized
so that they are not just piled up in the cabin.

Currently finishing up the "fo'csle". I have no use for a V berth and
have added a small galley to port and a chart table and "wine locker"
to starbord.

My next project is a "sail loft" in the fore peak. This will be used
for storing sail, PFD's, covers and stuff when not in use.
Anchors and lines stored below with quick and easy access when needed.

So, ok, you probably got the idea that I like to tinker. One of the
reasons I dropped in here is to search out some odd information about
how to set up and handle a square rig(!).

I've worked out (in theory) how to set up a course and tops'l - and
how to set and furl the sails. But, of course, I've never handled
squares. The running rigging presents a challenge on such a short
single masted boat. While there are a few old books an the subject
none of them I've seen address a single mast system.

I'm not claining it would be practical - but might be a lot of fun
when the local racing fleet turns down wind.

Providing I don't screw up and look dumb for trying something so
silly...


For what it's worth.

Richard

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/index.htm