I'm thinking about buying a new 22' boat. Possibly a 22 Mark II or a Capri 22. What's the difference? What do you think about either? How stable is it? I have a Hunter 170 that is too tender, so my wife and daughter will not sail with me. So I'd like a bigger boat with a keel. I will go to the Newport RI Boat Show in mid-September, but I would like some thoughts from sailers rather than salesmen.
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Cat 22 vs Capri 22
Michael, The Catalina 22 has a larger cabin while the Capri 22 has a smaller cabin and larger cockpit. The Capri has a lower phrf rating so all other things equal, it is a faster boat. The Catalina 22 as you may already know has a more active National Association with many more active fleets. I find the Cat 22 to be vey well mannered. I used to own a Potter 19 and while it would only heel over so far due to it's hard chines, I find the Cat 22 more fun to sail. I was out yesterday (alone) in 15 to 20 mph winds and it was a blast. By the way, the boat is very docile in these conditions with main alone. About the only negative thing I can think of (and this applies to both boats) is launching/retrieving a 22 ft boat. But then I always end up doing that by myself. Towing it is no problem; I recently towed my boat to Denver from Portland (Oregon). Someone in the marina where I keep my Cat 22 has a Mark II. I think it is a very good looking boat, but then I'm biased. Dave in Denver Cat 22 #14805 P.S. The best way to judge the boats is to go sailing with someone on their Cat 22 or Capri 22. There are so many boats out there that you should not have a problem doing this.
Michael, The Catalina 22 has a larger cabin while the Capri 22 has a smaller cabin and larger cockpit. The Capri has a lower phrf rating so all other things equal, it is a faster boat. The Catalina 22 as you may already know has a more active National Association with many more active fleets. I find the Cat 22 to be vey well mannered. I used to own a Potter 19 and while it would only heel over so far due to it's hard chines, I find the Cat 22 more fun to sail. I was out yesterday (alone) in 15 to 20 mph winds and it was a blast. By the way, the boat is very docile in these conditions with main alone. About the only negative thing I can think of (and this applies to both boats) is launching/retrieving a 22 ft boat. But then I always end up doing that by myself. Towing it is no problem; I recently towed my boat to Denver from Portland (Oregon). Someone in the marina where I keep my Cat 22 has a Mark II. I think it is a very good looking boat, but then I'm biased. Dave in Denver Cat 22 #14805 P.S. The best way to judge the boats is to go sailing with someone on their Cat 22 or Capri 22. There are so many boats out there that you should not have a problem doing this.
Capri 22 w/ fixed keel
I've got a 1985 Capri 22 (#137). It is set up with the racing package. Let me start out by saying that I don't race at all. I simply "inherited" the boat from a client. Were I looking at spending roughly the same amount of money for either a C22 or a Capri 22, and had to choose between, I would make the decision on the basis of whether I predominately want comfort or performance. I think that the Capri will out perform the C22 without a doubt in a number of different ways. The performance comes at the expense of a bit of comfort and things like have the mainsheet traveler in the middle of the cockpit, and the boom a bit lower. By the same token the boat is very comfortable, and I really have some doubts about how much one really can expect of the cabin in a 22" boat. I will say that as a relatively inexperienced sailor I feel completely comfortable with the performance and handling of the Capri 22. I will also add that mine has a fixed keel so that it is very stable in the water. Unless you intend to sail where the water is shallow (under 5') or trailer and launch yourself alot, I'd get one with a fixed keel. The biggest hassle with it to my mind is that the boat has to be lifted out of the water in the fall and lifted back into the water in the spring. On the other hand when I am working on it while it is sitting on the trailer, its a nice view from 10' up . . . Let me add that my wife is very comfortable on the boat and we bring our 6 month old daughter sailing with us. . . .
I've got a 1985 Capri 22 (#137). It is set up with the racing package. Let me start out by saying that I don't race at all. I simply "inherited" the boat from a client. Were I looking at spending roughly the same amount of money for either a C22 or a Capri 22, and had to choose between, I would make the decision on the basis of whether I predominately want comfort or performance. I think that the Capri will out perform the C22 without a doubt in a number of different ways. The performance comes at the expense of a bit of comfort and things like have the mainsheet traveler in the middle of the cockpit, and the boom a bit lower. By the same token the boat is very comfortable, and I really have some doubts about how much one really can expect of the cabin in a 22" boat. I will say that as a relatively inexperienced sailor I feel completely comfortable with the performance and handling of the Capri 22. I will also add that mine has a fixed keel so that it is very stable in the water. Unless you intend to sail where the water is shallow (under 5') or trailer and launch yourself alot, I'd get one with a fixed keel. The biggest hassle with it to my mind is that the boat has to be lifted out of the water in the fall and lifted back into the water in the spring. On the other hand when I am working on it while it is sitting on the trailer, its a nice view from 10' up . . . Let me add that my wife is very comfortable on the boat and we bring our 6 month old daughter sailing with us. . . .
Combine the two
The new 22MKll with the fixed fin keel has the same keel as the Capri...As for the capri being faster, I would question that fact...I've been racing my fixed fin (Capri) keel MKll in many off shore races and have won a number of them, and I still have the comfort of the larger cabin. I've raced it amoung other 22 Capri's and have walked off from them...but then again My MKll sports a full set of kevlar sails and my boat is rigged for racing....
The new 22MKll with the fixed fin keel has the same keel as the Capri...As for the capri being faster, I would question that fact...I've been racing my fixed fin (Capri) keel MKll in many off shore races and have won a number of them, and I still have the comfort of the larger cabin. I've raced it amoung other 22 Capri's and have walked off from them...but then again My MKll sports a full set of kevlar sails and my boat is rigged for racing....
2000 Mark ll
Hi Michael, I have seen the other opinions listed here and they have some very important facts. So since we purchased a brand new Cat 22' this year I suppose it's time for me to speak up for the Catalina Mark ll. Ours has a swing keel as we sail not only ocean but inland lakes as well. Also a kick up rudder so if we wanted we could beach the boat. I sail with my wife and 2 miniature doxies who love it just as well as we do. Our concern was comfort , stability and still I don't think we sacrificed that much on the speed angle at all. We purchased it with just a standard sail plan, and a few amenities. For us the cabin comfort was a big thing rather than a large cockpit. It sports a 7 1/2 hp Honda outboard for aux power and also charges the battery. We are cruising folks but I believe that with additional sails that the Mark ll could be just as competitive as the Capri. If you would like more particulars , you can email me at dgl@lighspeed.net A final thought, we looked a long time before we bought, just to make sure that this was the right boat for us. Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere
Hi Michael, I have seen the other opinions listed here and they have some very important facts. So since we purchased a brand new Cat 22' this year I suppose it's time for me to speak up for the Catalina Mark ll. Ours has a swing keel as we sail not only ocean but inland lakes as well. Also a kick up rudder so if we wanted we could beach the boat. I sail with my wife and 2 miniature doxies who love it just as well as we do. Our concern was comfort , stability and still I don't think we sacrificed that much on the speed angle at all. We purchased it with just a standard sail plan, and a few amenities. For us the cabin comfort was a big thing rather than a large cockpit. It sports a 7 1/2 hp Honda outboard for aux power and also charges the battery. We are cruising folks but I believe that with additional sails that the Mark ll could be just as competitive as the Capri. If you would like more particulars , you can email me at dgl@lighspeed.net A final thought, we looked a long time before we bought, just to make sure that this was the right boat for us. Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere- Status