Back to Search
Capri 18 Catalina
Designer: Frank Butler/Gerry Douglas  ·  Builder: Catalina Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Capri 18 Catalina

Designed by the accomplished team of Frank Butler and Gerry Douglas, this compact 18-footer represents Catalina Yachts' entry into the small sailboat market during the mid-1980s. Built with fiberglass construction and featuring a distinctive wing keel design, the Capri 18 offers sailors an accessible platform for learning and recreational sailing. The boat's fractional sloop rig and modest sail area of 155 square feet make it manageable for novice sailors while still providing enough power for enjoyable sailing in light to moderate conditions. With a beam of 7.58 feet and displacement of 1,500 pounds, the design strikes a practical balance between stability and performance. The wing keel configuration reduces draft to just 2.33 feet, allowing access to shallow waters and simplified launching from trailers. This sailboat excels as a day sailor and weekend cruiser for protected waters, lakes, and calm coastal areas. The comfortable cockpit accommodates small crews, making it ideal for sailing instruction or family outings. While not intended for serious offshore work, the Capri 18's forgiving handling characteristics and Catalina's reputation for quality construction have made it a popular choice among sailing schools and recreational sailors seeking an affordable, reliable small boat that delivers genuine sailing satisfaction.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
Beam 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Max Draft 2.33 ft / 0.71 m
Displacement 1,500.00 lb / 680 kg
Ballast 425.00 lb / 193 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 155.00 ft² / 14.40 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Wing Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Frank Butler/Gerry Douglas
Builder Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built 1985
Associations Catalina 18
Related Sailboats Catalina 18
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Capri 18 Catalina? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.97
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 28.33
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 153.77
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 9.27
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.65
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.41 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.52
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 442.28 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 18.48
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 20.25 ft / 6.17 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
SA Fore 65.00 ft² / 6.04 m²
SA Main 86.06 ft² / 8.00 m²
SA Total (100%) 151.06 ft² / 14.03 m²
Est. Forestay Length 21.03 ft / 6.41 m
Find a Capri 18 Catalina For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace