Overview
The 2026 Catalina Capri 22 from Catalina Yachts continues the core ethos of this classic small sailing yacht series—‘lightweight and highly versatile’—and is a 22-foot sailing yacht renowned for its fun handling and ease of use. Its simple, lightweight hull construction, combined with a split rig, ensures excellent acceleration even in light winds, whilst offering direct handling response, making it ideal for practice and leisure sailing.
The boat also features basic cabin space capable of accommodating four people for short overnight stays, though the overall focus remains on day-sailing. As a long-standing bestseller, it boasts a mature user base worldwide, balancing beginner-friendliness with a degree of competitive performance, making it a quintessential example of a ‘small performance cruiser’.
Key Highlights
- Lightweight hull, responsive handling
- Split rig, easy to handle with balanced performance
- Trailerable, flexible to use
- Large open cockpit
- Basic overnight accommodation (4 people)
Use Cases & Suitable Audience
The Catalina Capri 22 is primarily suited to day sailing on lakes, inshore waters and in harbours, whilst also being well-suited to short weekend cruises. Its simple handling and direct feedback make it ideal for sailing beginners, sailing schools and advanced sailors looking to hone their skills.
Furthermore, this model holds significant appeal for users on a limited budget who wish to own a ‘fun-to-sail’ yacht. Thanks to its moderate hull size and trailerability, it is also suitable for those who do not rely on a fixed berth. Overall, the target audience includes individual sailors, small families and sailing schools, making it a typical choice for entry-level and recreational sailing.
Cost of Ownership & Market Perspective
In terms of ownership costs, 22-foot class sailboats are relatively low-cost in terms of mooring, maintenance and insurance. Coupled with their simple structure and minimal systems, this makes them highly cost-effective for long-term use. The Catalina Capri 22 features a fibreglass construction that is durable and easy to maintain, whilst spare parts are relatively easy to source.
In the market, due to high production volumes and a broad user base, this model enjoys strong liquidity in the second-hand market with stable price ranges, making it suitable as an entry-level or transitional asset. Compared to larger cruising yachts, it places greater emphasis on ‘frequent use’ rather than living space, and is currently one of the most representative value-for-money choices in the small sailing boat market.
Buying Advice
If your primary requirements are learning to sail, casual cruising or participating in club regattas, the Catalina Capri 22 is a highly practical choice. However, it is important to note that its space and range are limited, making it unsuitable for extended cruising or offshore use.
When selecting a boat, we recommend prioritising the condition of the vessel, the state of the sails and rigging, and the type of keel (full keel or centerboard) to ensure it suits your sailing area requirements. Additionally, if you plan to tow the boat frequently, you should check that the trailer configuration is compatible with the hull. Overall, this is a low-threshold, highly enjoyable and versatile small sailing boat, ideal as a long-term companion for beginners or casual sailors.
