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Expo 125 Catalina
Designer: Garry Hoyt  ·  Builder: Catalina Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1997
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About the Expo 125 Catalina

Designed by Garry Hoyt and introduced by Catalina Yachts in 1997, this compact dinghy represents an interesting departure from traditional small boat design. The Expo 125's most distinctive feature is its unstayed catboat rig, eliminating the complexity of standing rigging while providing easy single-handed operation. At just under 13 feet in length with a fiberglass construction, this lightweight 130-pound dinghy offers impressive portability without sacrificing sailing performance. The boat's shallow 1.75-foot draft makes it ideal for exploring protected waters, beachfront sailing, and navigating areas where deeper-draft vessels cannot venture. Its generous sail area relative to displacement creates spirited performance in light to moderate conditions, while the daggerboard configuration allows for easy launching from beaches and shallow ramps. The relatively high capsize screening formula of 3.94 indicates this is primarily a protected water vessel best suited for day sailing rather than offshore adventures. Perfect for sailing instruction, recreational day sailing, or as a tender for larger vessels, the Expo 125 appeals to sailors seeking simplicity and ease of handling. The unstayed rig's forgiving nature makes it particularly attractive to novice sailors or those wanting a no-fuss sailing experience in harbors, lakes, and calm coastal waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 12.76 ft / 3.89 m
Beam 4.99 ft / 1.52 m
Max Draft 1.75 ft / 0.53 m
Min Draft 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
Displacement 130.00 lb / 59 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 64.00 ft² / 5.95 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction FG
Designer Garry Hoyt
Builder Catalina Yachts (USA)
First Built 1997
Related Sailboats Hobie Wave · Aqua Cat 12 5 · Topaz Uno · Zuma · Howmar 12
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
45.49
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
2.05
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. 4.41 kn
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. 1.16 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. Aqua Cat 12 5, Hobie Wave, Howmar 12, Topaz Uno, Zuma

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Expo 125 Catalina ★
12.8 ft
Aqua Cat 12 5
12.5 ft
Hobie Wave
13.0 ft
Howmar 12
12.2 ft
Topaz Uno
12.7 ft
Zuma
12.8 ft
LWL
Expo 125 Catalina ★
Aqua Cat 12 5
Hobie Wave
12.5 ft
Howmar 12
10.4 ft
Topaz Uno
Zuma
12.4 ft
Beam
Expo 125 Catalina ★
5.0 ft
Aqua Cat 12 5
6.0 ft
Hobie Wave
7.0 ft
Howmar 12
5.0 ft
Topaz Uno
4.8 ft
Zuma
5.0 ft
Displacement
Expo 125 Catalina ★
130 lbs
Aqua Cat 12 5
195 lbs
Hobie Wave
245 lbs
Howmar 12
175 lbs
Topaz Uno
132 lbs
Zuma
129 lbs
Sail Area
Expo 125 Catalina ★
64 sq ft
Aqua Cat 12 5
90 sq ft
Hobie Wave
95 sq ft
Howmar 12
90 sq ft
Topaz Uno
79 sq ft
Zuma
65 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Expo 125 Catalina ★
Aqua Cat 12 5
42.9
Hobie Wave
38.9
Howmar 12
46.1
Topaz Uno
Zuma
40.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Expo 125 Catalina ★
2.1
Aqua Cat 12 5
Hobie Wave
Howmar 12
2.9
Topaz Uno
2.2
Zuma
1.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Expo 125 Catalina ★
Aqua Cat 12 5
Hobie Wave
Howmar 12
3.58
Topaz Uno
Zuma
3.96
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Expo 125 Catalina ★
45
Aqua Cat 12 5
Hobie Wave
Howmar 12
69
Topaz Uno
47
Zuma
30
Hull Speed
Expo 125 Catalina ★
4.4 kts
Aqua Cat 12 5
Hobie Wave
Howmar 12
4.3 kts
Topaz Uno
4.4 kts
Zuma
4.7 kts
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