I am looking at a 1981 Catalina 22 swing keel for about $3,5000.00. What features or optional and additional equipment should I be looking for to make this boat a good value? Are there certain things I should look at that should have been up-graded or replaced? Is there a better year model for the money? This will be my frist major sailboat to spend some time on and i am a bit of a novice when it comes to sailing. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Capt Mark
Advice on purchase 1981 Catalina 22
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Things to look for
First, a trailer. Next most important, roller furling. Third, is the boat rigged for single handed sailing? A pop top is nice when you're are on the boat, but not sailing, but limits the space for bringing lines aft to the cockpit, so I do not consider that a priority. I would look at the keel to see if it is clean and free of heavy corrosion. Check for water leakage into the cabin. Windows and deck hardware are possible leak areas. bilge pumps are a clue that there is water leaking into the boat. A galley stove and sink are not necessities if you are not staying over nite, and only add weight and take up space. Other extras that might be desirable are knot meter, compass, depth finder, VHF radio, anchor with chain and rode, cushions for the cabin. If the boat has all of these things and doesn't leak, buy it! If you see too many problems, pass and keep looking.
First, a trailer. Next most important, roller furling. Third, is the boat rigged for single handed sailing? A pop top is nice when you're are on the boat, but not sailing, but limits the space for bringing lines aft to the cockpit, so I do not consider that a priority. I would look at the keel to see if it is clean and free of heavy corrosion. Check for water leakage into the cabin. Windows and deck hardware are possible leak areas. bilge pumps are a clue that there is water leaking into the boat. A galley stove and sink are not necessities if you are not staying over nite, and only add weight and take up space. Other extras that might be desirable are knot meter, compass, depth finder, VHF radio, anchor with chain and rode, cushions for the cabin. If the boat has all of these things and doesn't leak, buy it! If you see too many problems, pass and keep looking.
Outboard motor too!
I forgot to mention that. It would cost about $1500 to buy one if it's not included.
I forgot to mention that. It would cost about $1500 to buy one if it's not included.
Keel Bolts
Be sure to check the keel bolts and pin. Also, check the keel trunk where the compression post rest. Look for a bulge with cracked gelcoat...usually on the port side just below where the compression post sits. It is normal for a C-22 to have a slight dishing under the compression post. When the structure fails, the keel trunk tends to bulge on the sides. Walk around the deck to see if it feels solid. Also, push on the sides; if you hear it crack or it feels soft, this is not good. David
Be sure to check the keel bolts and pin. Also, check the keel trunk where the compression post rest. Look for a bulge with cracked gelcoat...usually on the port side just below where the compression post sits. It is normal for a C-22 to have a slight dishing under the compression post. When the structure fails, the keel trunk tends to bulge on the sides. Walk around the deck to see if it feels solid. Also, push on the sides; if you hear it crack or it feels soft, this is not good. David
A Friend Lived Aboard!
Hey Capt Mark. The Cat. 22 is the most popular 22 footer in the world and I know that their must be hundreds here at Lake Lanier, Georgia. With that their must be a ton of things you can do to a 22 to gain better performance, handling and comfort. A buddy of mine lived on his 22 in Florida and never complained about the room. He added a small solar panel mounted off the stern for slow battery trickler charging, a gimballed single burner (sterno)for cooking that was bulkhead mounted and an outboard with an alternator for additional charging (Honda 7.5). Take the sound advise from owners on this board as to what specifically to look for before your purchase. CatalinaDirect on the web has a ton of 22 parts, and you can replace almost everything bolted or scewed down from the factory. My advise is to check the gungeons and pintels (rudder fittings and mated pieces on the transom), as these do get worn and can get loose. Look at "potential" when it comes to repairing or reviving a part over replacing it (tillers, cabin entrance way boards, teak rails, etc). Don't let a dull figerglass finish turn you away from a good buy. A good orbital polisher and compound can make any fiberglass boat look great. They are great boats. Best of luck in your pursuit and enjoy your days onboard. Welcome to the community. Regards Bob Catalina 30 "Breezin II"
Hey Capt Mark. The Cat. 22 is the most popular 22 footer in the world and I know that their must be hundreds here at Lake Lanier, Georgia. With that their must be a ton of things you can do to a 22 to gain better performance, handling and comfort. A buddy of mine lived on his 22 in Florida and never complained about the room. He added a small solar panel mounted off the stern for slow battery trickler charging, a gimballed single burner (sterno)for cooking that was bulkhead mounted and an outboard with an alternator for additional charging (Honda 7.5). Take the sound advise from owners on this board as to what specifically to look for before your purchase. CatalinaDirect on the web has a ton of 22 parts, and you can replace almost everything bolted or scewed down from the factory. My advise is to check the gungeons and pintels (rudder fittings and mated pieces on the transom), as these do get worn and can get loose. Look at "potential" when it comes to repairing or reviving a part over replacing it (tillers, cabin entrance way boards, teak rails, etc). Don't let a dull figerglass finish turn you away from a good buy. A good orbital polisher and compound can make any fiberglass boat look great. They are great boats. Best of luck in your pursuit and enjoy your days onboard. Welcome to the community. Regards Bob Catalina 30 "Breezin II"
That's my boat
My wife and I bought a 1981 Catalina22 swing keel this past January. We thought it was a better choice as it could be trailered. We spoke with a dealer at the Dallas boat show before we bought and he echoed everyone elses statements that this was an excellent choice for a beginner. We bought a good book on sailing keel boats and read it from cover to cover. We then read it over and over until we could quate it by heart. My first time out in the boat was with the owner. We also went out on a Catalina25 for the experience. A great chance to ask questions and practice what I had been learning from the book. The first time out in our boat was then a wonderful experience not marred by mistakes and fear. We keep our boat in a slip at a nice marina. I could not imagine having to raise and lower our mast everytime we go out. I would probably not go out as often. We have opened a savings account for a bigger boat. We pan to upgrade in a couple of years. Maybe a Cat25 or Cat27. We want something we can sail on the coastline. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions here. I have read and gotten lots of good information. Have fun.
My wife and I bought a 1981 Catalina22 swing keel this past January. We thought it was a better choice as it could be trailered. We spoke with a dealer at the Dallas boat show before we bought and he echoed everyone elses statements that this was an excellent choice for a beginner. We bought a good book on sailing keel boats and read it from cover to cover. We then read it over and over until we could quate it by heart. My first time out in the boat was with the owner. We also went out on a Catalina25 for the experience. A great chance to ask questions and practice what I had been learning from the book. The first time out in our boat was then a wonderful experience not marred by mistakes and fear. We keep our boat in a slip at a nice marina. I could not imagine having to raise and lower our mast everytime we go out. I would probably not go out as often. We have opened a savings account for a bigger boat. We pan to upgrade in a couple of years. Maybe a Cat25 or Cat27. We want something we can sail on the coastline. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions here. I have read and gotten lots of good information. Have fun.
Thanks for the Info !!
Thanks for all your advice. Here is a copy of the post on this boat---VERY NICE, LIGHTLY USED AND READY FOR A NEW OWNER. 4 SAILS, MAIN, JIB, GENOA & STORM JIB. NEW POTTIE STILL IN BOX. BOOM VANG. ALL LINES LEAD AFT. SAFETY EQUIPMENT. DANFORT ANCHOR AND 100' LINE. STERN LADDER. WIND VANE. ORIGNAL OWNERS MANUALS. ORIGNAL FACTORY TRAILER. IN WATER AND READY FOR TEST SAIL. (not in water now on trailer) In addition the engine is a 1985 Mariner 4 HP. I am going to look at the boat Saturday and I will let you know how that goes. Capt Mark
Thanks for all your advice. Here is a copy of the post on this boat---VERY NICE, LIGHTLY USED AND READY FOR A NEW OWNER. 4 SAILS, MAIN, JIB, GENOA & STORM JIB. NEW POTTIE STILL IN BOX. BOOM VANG. ALL LINES LEAD AFT. SAFETY EQUIPMENT. DANFORT ANCHOR AND 100' LINE. STERN LADDER. WIND VANE. ORIGNAL OWNERS MANUALS. ORIGNAL FACTORY TRAILER. IN WATER AND READY FOR TEST SAIL. (not in water now on trailer) In addition the engine is a 1985 Mariner 4 HP. I am going to look at the boat Saturday and I will let you know how that goes. Capt Mark
1986 Year Change
The C22 underwent a change in 1986. The interior layout, windows, forward hatch, cockpit and other items changed to a sleeker, more modern look. The interior got a bit roomier and a few inches taller. The pull-out galley was replaced with a built-in sink. The feature I like is that the gas can lazerette is fully enclosed and not open to the cabin like the earlier C22s. I like the pop top for when we sleep out on the boat. A friend has an earlier C22 and it is a fine boat too. You can't go wrong.
The C22 underwent a change in 1986. The interior layout, windows, forward hatch, cockpit and other items changed to a sleeker, more modern look. The interior got a bit roomier and a few inches taller. The pull-out galley was replaced with a built-in sink. The feature I like is that the gas can lazerette is fully enclosed and not open to the cabin like the earlier C22s. I like the pop top for when we sleep out on the boat. A friend has an earlier C22 and it is a fine boat too. You can't go wrong.
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