Catalina Capri 25 Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a used Catalina Capri 25 means looking at a Frank Butler one-design racer built by Catalina Yachts in the United States between 1980 and 1986, a 24-foot trailerable fiberglass keelboat that still draws a club-racing following. The boat splits its identity between weekend cruising and class racing, so the examples on the market range from stripped speedsters to lightly cruised family boats, and knowing which weaknesses matter will save a buyer from a costly surprise.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Capri 25 belowdecks is a study in weight savings: a forward V-shaped berth, a pair of settees in the saloon, and aft quarter berths, with a sink and icebox under the companionway and a chemical head in the bow. Compared with the cruising Catalina 25, cabin furniture was omitted to cut mass, but the boat still offers more space than a J/24. A shoal-draft wing-keel version exists for shallow-water buyers, and the vertical transom carries a transom-mounted outboard of 6 to 10 horsepower.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A spinnaker is commonly fitted, reflecting the boat’s one-design racing roots. Often-seen upgrades include lithium batteries, an inverter, and a short-handed setup that simplifies sail handling for smaller crews. Power and energy clusters around the lithium and inverter additions, meaning a buyer should verify panel capacity; sail-handling short-handed rigging reduces winch workload but should be inspected for correct lead routing.
What to Inspect
The deck is plywood-cored and prone to soft spots where water has entered around stanchions and chainplates, so press the deck with a thumb near those fittings and look for spongy laminate or stained core. Many boats retain original wire standing rigging that should be replaced regardless of appearance, so examine the terminals for rust or necking. Early foam-core rudders can absorb water; tap the blade and check for unusual weight or weeping at the stock. Gelcoat crazing on deck and topsides is cosmetic but can signal neglected bedding. The simple electrical system often needs rewiring, so test every circuit and inspect the panel for overheating.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The typical market for these boats is the United States. Before committing, walk through this short list:
- Press deck cores at stanchions and chainplates for softness
- Confirm standing rigging is not original wire
- Tap the rudder for water absorption
- Test all electrical circuits and panel condition
- Verify outboard mount and transom structure for heavier motors
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Catalina Capri 25. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $5,500 | — |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $5,000 | -9.1% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $3,300 | -34.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $13,000 | +293.9% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $6,000 | -53.8% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $6,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Catalina Capri 25 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 6.
Country view
6 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $5,500 | 6 | 3 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 25 | 24.61' | $ 8,915 | 10 | 2 |
| Catalina Capri 25You are here | — | $ 5,500 | 6 | 3 |