Started sailing with a 12' sunfish knock off by "Formosa" in 1979 at age 12. Sailed that fine craft until 2012. I don't know how my parents let me venture miles down the beach on that surfboard. I finally moved up to a Hobie Holder 14 for use around Panama City, FL two years ago. Last month my wife, daughter, her boyfriend and myself ventured way to far away and barely made it back before dead dark. That night my wife suggested a bigger craft with a motor. Being an obliging husband I began looking at Catalina 22 ads until by eyes felt burned.
Last weekend we closed on a "needing love" 1988 Cat 22 wing keel sitting in a lovely slip in Panama City. I wanted the sexier looking deck on the later models and love a good restoration project (I restore aircraft for a part time job). Last winter we complety removed and reapplied gel coat to our Standard Cirrus Sailplane so gel coat is now my friend.
This sturdy ship was tricked out for racing by an owner some where in its history. The owner who moved her to this slip reportedly sailed her quite a bit but liked to do business with Sea Tow so grounded on sand bars on a regular basis. He sold her to a young man who had high dreams but his Wal Mart job did not pay enough to keep her up. We rescued her with an inch of water sloshing around in the cabin floor. Lee and I spent three days on her last weekend removing lots of camping garbage, uncovering the various lockers and bilge boards, pumping and sponging her dry. We even raised the sails which were reportedly rotten. The jib is very sea worthy while the main has some sun burn in about a one foot square area that was peaking out from under the cover. I have sent the main to a sail shop for inspection and estimate. We ordered a new 5 hp Tohatsu which will be here Monday. We also scrapped the oyster bed from the bottom the best we could given the murky water in the lagoon. Numerous projects to go but that is what I love. I desperately need a trailer and a mast crutch so I can get her home and work in earnest. However the slip has been paid through September so we will probably sail around the bay, find cleaner water and scrape the hull some more before loading up for trailer ride home.
I look forward to being a salty member of the Catalina 22 group. Here's to beautiful sunsets and warm breezes!
Last weekend we closed on a "needing love" 1988 Cat 22 wing keel sitting in a lovely slip in Panama City. I wanted the sexier looking deck on the later models and love a good restoration project (I restore aircraft for a part time job). Last winter we complety removed and reapplied gel coat to our Standard Cirrus Sailplane so gel coat is now my friend.
This sturdy ship was tricked out for racing by an owner some where in its history. The owner who moved her to this slip reportedly sailed her quite a bit but liked to do business with Sea Tow so grounded on sand bars on a regular basis. He sold her to a young man who had high dreams but his Wal Mart job did not pay enough to keep her up. We rescued her with an inch of water sloshing around in the cabin floor. Lee and I spent three days on her last weekend removing lots of camping garbage, uncovering the various lockers and bilge boards, pumping and sponging her dry. We even raised the sails which were reportedly rotten. The jib is very sea worthy while the main has some sun burn in about a one foot square area that was peaking out from under the cover. I have sent the main to a sail shop for inspection and estimate. We ordered a new 5 hp Tohatsu which will be here Monday. We also scrapped the oyster bed from the bottom the best we could given the murky water in the lagoon. Numerous projects to go but that is what I love. I desperately need a trailer and a mast crutch so I can get her home and work in earnest. However the slip has been paid through September so we will probably sail around the bay, find cleaner water and scrape the hull some more before loading up for trailer ride home.
I look forward to being a salty member of the Catalina 22 group. Here's to beautiful sunsets and warm breezes!
