Catalina offered two keel arrangements: a pivoting centerboard and a fixed keel, the latter later designated the 14.2K. Production has continued since the design’s introduction.
Design and Construction
The hull is a one-piece shell of solid, hand-laid fiberglass, with molded-in non-skid. The deck is also solid fiberglass and carries the same grip pattern. Beneath the cockpit, several plywood stringers stiffen the hull and support the sole, reducing flex underfoot.
The semi-planing hull gives the boat a lively character beyond that of a typical displacement dinghy. Her broad 6 ft 2 in beam contributes to stability and also affects how she sits in the water.
The vast majority of boats left the factory with a pivoting centerboard that kicks up on grounding. The rudder kicks up as well. Earlier centerboards were solid wood; later boards are foam-cored fiberglass.
As delivered, the hull has no positive buoyancy material. The broad beam also limits the benefit of the mast’s foam plugs: most of the mast remains above the surface unless the boat turtles.
Rig, Handling, and Trailering
The Catalina 14.2 has a fractional sloop rig with a self-tacking jib. Its anodized aluminum mast is supported by a stainless steel headstay and one set of swept-back anodized spreaders with stainless steel shrouds. A turnbuckle on the headstay allows precise tuning, and all other rigging hardware is stainless steel.
All control lines lead to the cockpit. The mainsheet runs through a stout, spring-mounted pivoting block and jam cleat on the centerline, while the jib sheets release from jam cleats on the side decks. With sails this size, there’s no need for winches.
The relatively deep centerboard and rudder provide excellent windward grip, although that ability falls off sharply as the boat is loaded. Trailering is straightforward because only the forestay needs to be disconnected before unstepping the mast. The flat bottom and retractable board also allow a powerboat trailer to work well.
Cockpit, Cuddy, and Deck
This is primarily a daysailer, so the cuddy has no berths, head, or galley. It can, however, hold camping gear. One owner reports sailing inland lakes and the bays of the Outer Banks with his wife and three children, carrying supplies in the cuddy and cockpit-seat lockers.
For a sport boat, the cockpit has good sole depth, seat width, and coaming height. The seats are long enough to sleep on, and hiking straps run the length of the cockpit from new.
Forward of the cockpit, the solid deck over the cuddy provides a useful place to stand while working the jib, though it feels less than secure in rough water.
Known Issues
Older boats may suffer damage at the hull-to-deck joint that compromises watertightness. The joint is easy to reach at the gunwale, so many owners add mechanical fasteners after such damage. A rub rail can also protect the exposed gunwale joint from future knocks. Mod 3 hulls gained through-bolted hull-to-deck joints.
The wooden stringers beneath the cockpit sole can decay if moisture is allowed to stand in the hull, although few boats collect enough standing water for this to occur. If rot does develop, replacement is awkward because the interior working space is tight.
On centerboard models, water can spray into the cockpit through the centerboard slot at speed.
Refits and Ownership
A common owner modification is to fit an uphaul, rigid boom vang, or boom kicker. The factory boom has no uphaul, so it drops into the cockpit when the mainsail is lowered.
Catalina Direct offers solid HDPE rudders as replacements for the original composite kick-up rudder. The boat came without auxiliary propulsion, although an outboard mount was optional. Many owners paddle instead, but the beam and side-deck layout make that awkward.
Mod 2 boats used a canvas hatch cover to conceal the cuddy box.
The Verdict
The Catalina 14.2 is an unusual combination: a trainer that can race and a racer from which a family can camp. When lightly loaded, the semi-planing hull and deep centerboard make her quick and weatherly. The simple rig, molded non-skid, and trailer-friendly setup help keep ownership undemanding.
The exposed hull-to-deck joint and wooden stringers call for a careful inspection of the gunwale and a dry bilge. Continued production keeps parts available.
Pros
- Stable, easy-handling platform suited to learning and active one-design racing
- Semi-planing hull with a deep centerboard and rudder for strong windward grip
- Simple fractional rig with all control lines led to the cockpit
- Easy to trailer, with only the forestay disconnected for mast lowering
- Continued production supports spare-parts availability
Cons
- Hull-to-deck joint on older boats can leak and may need reinforcement
- No positive buoyancy in the hull as delivered; the broad beam limits the benefit of mast plugs
- Factory boom drops into the cockpit unless an uphaul or similar fitting is added
- Cuddy has no berths, head, or galley
- Forward deck can feel insecure in rough water
