Resources on rigging a C22 - what's what?

Aug 2, 2026
4
Catalina 22 Hudson River
OK, so I'm the proud new owner of a 1980 swing keel C22! This is the largest boat I have owned, and I realize that I am a bit lost on what all the different pulleys and cleats are for. What is the best resource? This forum? The facebook C22 forum? I think I have to go through the boat piece by piece to understand what is what. Should I get the mast up with the boat on the trailer to make sure all is in working order?
 
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Likes: Gene Neill
Sep 14, 2014
1,293
Catalina 22 Pensacola, Florida
Get the 78 or so manual from catalina owners assoc.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,399
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Patrick Royce's excellent book, Sailing Illustrated, is wonderful book for you. We got it when we bought our 1981 C22 in 1983, before the internet. Covers the C22 in great detail as well as everything else you need to know about sailing. It is a wonderful introduction as well as a true "keeper." Fair winds.

Pat Royce jib downhaul (Medium).jpg
 
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Aug 2, 2026
4
Catalina 22 Hudson River
Stu, thanks!!! I looked on ebay and there are many editions of that book. Can you tell me what edition you have or recommend?
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,399
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I bought it in 1983, so you could work from that. I don't think the text has changed very much, but I am aware that for some unknown reason they changed ALL of the text to BLUE in later editions; most likely to reduced xerox copies (my guess). It's much easier to read in black & white! :)

Stu, thanks!!! I looked on ebay and there are many editions of that book. Can you tell me what edition you have or recommend?
 
Sep 30, 2013
3,701
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
Congrats on the new boat! People on this forum will be happy to help all we can.

Yes, raising the mast on the trailer is the way to go. Doing it for the first time at home, away from the added stress of the boat ramp, is definitely a good idea!

The textbook "Sailing Made Easy", from the American Sailing Association, was super helpful to my wife and me when we first were getting started. Highly recommended!

BK-101-SME-2ED-Cover-1600__21800.jpg
 
Sep 15, 2016
859
Catalina 22 Minnesota
For a general owners manual on initial setup you could use the manual.

1987 and newer: https://www.dockrell.com/dockrell_website/documents/Catalina 22 Owner's Manual for 1987.pdf

1977 - 1987: https://glenmoresailboats.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/catalina_22_manual.pdf

A combination off the 2 manuals should answer most questions. the only major changes between models was the cabin layout, keel options, and the fact that the 1987 and newer has a cabin top that is about 2 inches taller than the original so the mast is 2 inches shorter or so. There are also tons of YouTube videos out there though I am partial to Stingy sailor myself. https://www.youtube.com/@stingysailor5677/videos

Beyond that the Catalina 22 National Sailing Assiociation has the best tech manual available for tips, tricks, repairs, and upgrades available. I think it's far better than the Catalina Direct manual but that just me.