I am considering purchasing an early 80's Cat 22 as a first sailboat. How seaworthy would one be, based on anyones experience, to do a middling long coastal cruise (say Marina Del Ray to Ventura or Santa Barbara) or from say Long Beach to Catalina? I have heard that they are not good open water boats because of the size. Sean
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Coastal Cruising
Hi Sean, Catalina builds a very good to excellent product regardless of what size they might be they all are built to stand up much better then one just entering sailing might think. I own a 2000 Mark II 22' Catalina, swing keel and am very happy with it. I sail mostly inland lakes in the foothills and mountains here in California, along with coastal cruising out of Morro Bay, Santa Barbara and as far south as San Diego. I have sailed a number of smaller boats in the 22-25' range and out of all of them which were trailerable, I find the Catalina the most trustworthy on the ocean. You do have to consider though the weather, water conditions, time of year and condition of your used Catalina, plus equipment, along with your sailing ability. I have sailed to Catalina Island in a 22' and returned without a hitch. Went the following week-end in a 32' and thought we would lose the boat in a storm in the channel. I guess by now you are getting the hint that there are alot of variables you have to consider here, but for me I have no problem under the right conditions coastal sailing in my 22' Catalina. My suggestion to you is if you are new to sailing and you have your heart and mind set on a 22'. Take some classes, I know Marina Del Rey pretty well and I know there are basic classes in the area that you can attend for almost nothing in the way of dollars, and this will give you knowledge and experience that culminates in confidence in you and your vessel, regardless of size. For me , I grew up on the Great Lakes, started my sailing career in a 8' dinghy, and I have found that it sometimes is a far more challenging sail, to sail a mountain lake here in California then it is to sail in the ocean off our coast. There is fun in all of it, but go well prepared, and plan on what you would do if anything were to challenge your safety, or the safety of others. Be it weather, equipment failure of any type or sealife. Sometimes a brush with a large sea mammal, or crossing shipping lanes like you would, sailing out of Marina Del Rey could cost you your boat or your life. It's happened before. Now I don't want to put a damper on your sailing but I think if a friend asked me the question you posted here I would give them the same answer. Happy sailing, and maybe someday we'll meet out there. Dave LaPere
Hi Sean, Catalina builds a very good to excellent product regardless of what size they might be they all are built to stand up much better then one just entering sailing might think. I own a 2000 Mark II 22' Catalina, swing keel and am very happy with it. I sail mostly inland lakes in the foothills and mountains here in California, along with coastal cruising out of Morro Bay, Santa Barbara and as far south as San Diego. I have sailed a number of smaller boats in the 22-25' range and out of all of them which were trailerable, I find the Catalina the most trustworthy on the ocean. You do have to consider though the weather, water conditions, time of year and condition of your used Catalina, plus equipment, along with your sailing ability. I have sailed to Catalina Island in a 22' and returned without a hitch. Went the following week-end in a 32' and thought we would lose the boat in a storm in the channel. I guess by now you are getting the hint that there are alot of variables you have to consider here, but for me I have no problem under the right conditions coastal sailing in my 22' Catalina. My suggestion to you is if you are new to sailing and you have your heart and mind set on a 22'. Take some classes, I know Marina Del Rey pretty well and I know there are basic classes in the area that you can attend for almost nothing in the way of dollars, and this will give you knowledge and experience that culminates in confidence in you and your vessel, regardless of size. For me , I grew up on the Great Lakes, started my sailing career in a 8' dinghy, and I have found that it sometimes is a far more challenging sail, to sail a mountain lake here in California then it is to sail in the ocean off our coast. There is fun in all of it, but go well prepared, and plan on what you would do if anything were to challenge your safety, or the safety of others. Be it weather, equipment failure of any type or sealife. Sometimes a brush with a large sea mammal, or crossing shipping lanes like you would, sailing out of Marina Del Rey could cost you your boat or your life. It's happened before. Now I don't want to put a damper on your sailing but I think if a friend asked me the question you posted here I would give them the same answer. Happy sailing, and maybe someday we'll meet out there. Dave LaPere
Coastal Cruising in a 22
Thanks for your input on this question. I have a Cat. 22 MKII that I have been sailing on an inland lake for slightly less than a year. I've gained a lot of knowledge on the lake and am getting more and more comfortable in varying conditions. I have been entertaining the idea of venturing into coastal waters (the Gulf Coast) this Spring. I appreciated your input. Thanks.
Thanks for your input on this question. I have a Cat. 22 MKII that I have been sailing on an inland lake for slightly less than a year. I've gained a lot of knowledge on the lake and am getting more and more comfortable in varying conditions. I have been entertaining the idea of venturing into coastal waters (the Gulf Coast) this Spring. I appreciated your input. Thanks.
You are Welcome
Would like to see your part of the country some time. I spent some time at Gulfport Misss and Naval Base across the river from the French Quarter in New Orleans Dave
Would like to see your part of the country some time. I spent some time at Gulfport Misss and Naval Base across the river from the French Quarter in New Orleans Dave
Good information, David
Thanks for the input. I am not entirely new to sailing, but am in the process of getting recertified after a long time off of the water. I have sailed many, many times-I actually learned sailing lakes in Masachusetts and N/H, Vermont. I have never owned a sailboat before, but as I go out frequently now, it would seem to be a good idea to get a mid/small boat to see if I would like a larger one later on. So far, I have been going out on rental C22's and it seems like a good first boat. Thanks again.
Thanks for the input. I am not entirely new to sailing, but am in the process of getting recertified after a long time off of the water. I have sailed many, many times-I actually learned sailing lakes in Masachusetts and N/H, Vermont. I have never owned a sailboat before, but as I go out frequently now, it would seem to be a good idea to get a mid/small boat to see if I would like a larger one later on. So far, I have been going out on rental C22's and it seems like a good first boat. Thanks again.
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