1st catlina 22 and just really getting into sailing!

Team118 · Mar 24, 2011

Have the previous owner set up the mast and rigging for you. Take lots of pictures.

Then....

Start the motor, get out in the middle of the lake.

Put up the jib, put up the main and HAVE FUN!!!!

The 22 will take care of you. She's a forgiving gal!

Good luck!
Chris

rwdsr · Mar 25, 2011

I got my 22 on the first of November last year and was able to take her out twice before the weather went south. All summer I sailed a Compac 16. There were a few differences on the 22 that I hadn't had any expeience with, such as a boom vang. But we launched and took off, and what a thrill! The boat is forgiving, handles well in bigger wind, and goes well in light airs. I didn't have a bit of trouble adjusting, and am looking forward to a full season with her.

RECESS · Mar 25, 2011

One of the things that people struggle with when first sailing is knowing where ther sails should be with wind direction. Remember the golden rule, when in doubt, let it out. You can control a lot of the handling of the boat but just letting the sails out a little bit. Purposefully experiment with how the boat feels with sails let out at different distances with the wind at the same angle. Also use something on your stays to tell the wind direction. I would suggest using the orange caution tape, synthetic yarn, or christmas tensil tied and streaming on your side stays up at the level you look at your sails. I have a Windex on the top of my mast, but I look at the orange caution tape 90% of the time to see where the wind is coming from. I like the orange as it is easy to read at night. Your windward stay caution tape (the side the sails are not on and the side the wind is coming from) will show the wind direction. The lee stay caution tape (the side the sails are on and the side heeled over closer to the water) will get pushed back from the wind coming off the jib. You can see what I am talking about with our Catalina 22. The orange caution tape is on both side stays.

Sailinnsc · Mar 25, 2011

Cool suggestion ....i have always used old vcr tape.....but the idea of brighter colours make a great deal of sense...

Happy sails

G

Ken · Mar 25, 2011

fleet

You are very lucky that there is a really good C22 fleet no make that one of the best C22 fleets on Lanier. I'd encourage you to contact them. Volunteer to crew for one of them, at the very least they'll be glad to have you in the Fleet. It's Fleet 58, you should consider joining the C22 Nationals as well if you haven't already.

good luck with your boat and welcome aboard

Ken · Mar 25, 2011

fleets

Take a look here:

http://www.catalina22.org/

You'll find the fleet captain email address contact him... Oh, he happens to be on the top five racers in the nattion on the C22.....

gypsyorchid · Mar 26, 2011

We love our Catalina 22! She is very forgiving. Stepping the mast is a challenge. My advice one be find a place to park her,and sail as much as your lifestyle will permit. Get a genaker for those lazy days.

RECESS · Mar 27, 2011

Find some people to go with you that are sailors. I am sure you can get some old salts up your way to climb aboard. I learned and learn so much from some of the guys at my yacht club that do not sail anymore but love to get out on someone's boat.

Bilbo · Mar 28, 2011

New2thecat said:
Yeah I am working on it! I did pass by a guy on a catamaran and his advice was "get another hull" at that point I was wishing I had my water ballon launcher with me lol.

Are catamaran guys in a diff league or something?

Cats can go faster but we are in a different league.

Regarding single hulls, the difference between the speeds of various 22 ft boats isn't all that much....not exactly like Mr. Sulu. changing from warp 1 to Warp 3 .
Rest assured that there's loads of fun to be had in a C-22 AND then you can sleep aboard after a really nice picnic.