My fiance and I are new to sailing this year. We took a basic dingy sailing class in the spring and promply purchased a 14' JY which we love, but are looking to purchase a bigger boat we can overnight on. An inexpensive (up to $4000) trailerable boat would best suit our needs. We have located a reasonably priced Catalina 22 and would like opinions from some more experienced people as to quality and performance. We have looked at similar sized Ventures and San Juans, but the quality doesn't seem as good as that of the Catalina. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
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C22 most popular in that size
The Catalina 22 is by far the most popular boat in that size range. I think tens of thousands have been built over the years, and it's still in production. You can't go wrong with this boat. Roc
The Catalina 22 is by far the most popular boat in that size range. I think tens of thousands have been built over the years, and it's still in production. You can't go wrong with this boat. Roc
Good choice
Catalinas are very good boats for a number of reasons. Good quality, seemingly timeless design, and excellent resale value. The 22 is a great starter/daysailor boat but know that in a year or two, when your skills increase, you'll probably want to move up. That's the best reason to buy a Catalina cuz you hopefully will be able to sell it for close to, if not more than, what you bought her for. Have fun! LaDonna
Catalinas are very good boats for a number of reasons. Good quality, seemingly timeless design, and excellent resale value. The 22 is a great starter/daysailor boat but know that in a year or two, when your skills increase, you'll probably want to move up. That's the best reason to buy a Catalina cuz you hopefully will be able to sell it for close to, if not more than, what you bought her for. Have fun! LaDonna
O'days are good too
The O'Days are also good boats that have held up well. Look for one in the 22 to 25 foot range. I agree that within a year or two you will probably be moving up again. you might be better off looking for something in the 24 to 27 foot range. This will allow you to do do full weeks on board and still not have that complicated a boat. You will actually find the the larger boats are actually easier to sail. in this size range, the rigs are still pretty uncomplicated and they are a bit more stable under sail. I have a Hunter 20 and find it a bit tender in moderate winds (15 kts +). Enjoy the hunt and have fun. Les Murray H20 Limerick
The O'Days are also good boats that have held up well. Look for one in the 22 to 25 foot range. I agree that within a year or two you will probably be moving up again. you might be better off looking for something in the 24 to 27 foot range. This will allow you to do do full weeks on board and still not have that complicated a boat. You will actually find the the larger boats are actually easier to sail. in this size range, the rigs are still pretty uncomplicated and they are a bit more stable under sail. I have a Hunter 20 and find it a bit tender in moderate winds (15 kts +). Enjoy the hunt and have fun. Les Murray H20 Limerick
Good Boat
Yeppers...the 22 is a fine boat in its class....but beware..of the work needed on an older boat...it can spoil some of the pleasure of sailing.. ..i sailed the 22 for almost ten years before moving up... Rick
Yeppers...the 22 is a fine boat in its class....but beware..of the work needed on an older boat...it can spoil some of the pleasure of sailing.. ..i sailed the 22 for almost ten years before moving up... Rick
I Like Mine
We went from a 17' daysailor to the 22. I think it is great having more room and still being able to trailor it. In this size boat I find I can handle it myself or if friends are along their is plenty of room. Pop top is nice when we drop the hook or get back to the dock. I agree it can be tender when wind kicks up and sail it under just main in stronger conditions.
We went from a 17' daysailor to the 22. I think it is great having more room and still being able to trailor it. In this size boat I find I can handle it myself or if friends are along their is plenty of room. Pop top is nice when we drop the hook or get back to the dock. I agree it can be tender when wind kicks up and sail it under just main in stronger conditions.
Cat 22 as a trailer sailer
I think the Cat 22 is the best all-around trailer sailer out there. Personally, I have a Capri 18, but that's mainly due to my storage and towing capabilities. When people talk of *moving up*, there's really a narrow range of size when it comes to a manageable trailer boat. The difference between towing/launching a Cat 22 and a Cat 250 is noticeable. You're talking a 22 ft, 2200 lb boat vs a 25 ft 3200+ lb boat (water ballast 250). The 250 is about the widest boat you can regularily trailer without a permit. Another note: try to get a boat that's in very good shape (newer?), with a lot of goodies, if possible. The idea is to sail the boat more than you work on it. Paying more for the basic boat usually means paying less to maintain it later.
I think the Cat 22 is the best all-around trailer sailer out there. Personally, I have a Capri 18, but that's mainly due to my storage and towing capabilities. When people talk of *moving up*, there's really a narrow range of size when it comes to a manageable trailer boat. The difference between towing/launching a Cat 22 and a Cat 250 is noticeable. You're talking a 22 ft, 2200 lb boat vs a 25 ft 3200+ lb boat (water ballast 250). The 250 is about the widest boat you can regularily trailer without a permit. Another note: try to get a boat that's in very good shape (newer?), with a lot of goodies, if possible. The idea is to sail the boat more than you work on it. Paying more for the basic boat usually means paying less to maintain it later.
Yes Yes Yes !
The Catalina 22' is a great small boat and since I have a 2000 Mark II Hull number 15465 I can tell you it was the quality , sailing ability and size both inside and out that convinced me to buy Nature's Cradle. One of the most popular 22's ever designed and built. I've owned a (venture 22 ) Macgregor and there is no comparison. O'Days are ok as well as others but the only one in my book that even comes close to comparing and they are not even the same size but for trailor sailors they are the next best thing is a boat called West Wight Potters, both 15' and 19' made in Inglewood California. They have been in production since 1949 and have made trailering fun and easy along with a very solid stable cruising design. Not as fast as a Cat but certainly a safe vessel, with positive flotation built in. The 15' sells for about 5,000 and the 19' for about 8,000 new. Not a Catalina but certainly a great little starter boat. Happy Sailing
Dave LaPere
The Catalina 22' is a great small boat and since I have a 2000 Mark II Hull number 15465 I can tell you it was the quality , sailing ability and size both inside and out that convinced me to buy Nature's Cradle. One of the most popular 22's ever designed and built. I've owned a (venture 22 ) Macgregor and there is no comparison. O'Days are ok as well as others but the only one in my book that even comes close to comparing and they are not even the same size but for trailor sailors they are the next best thing is a boat called West Wight Potters, both 15' and 19' made in Inglewood California. They have been in production since 1949 and have made trailering fun and easy along with a very solid stable cruising design. Not as fast as a Cat but certainly a safe vessel, with positive flotation built in. The 15' sells for about 5,000 and the 19' for about 8,000 new. Not a Catalina but certainly a great little starter boat. Happy Sailing
Dave LaPereDon't think about regular trailering
I agree with everyone that the Cat 22 is a great boat. We've had a 1978 for 4 years without any problems. However, don't even think about trailering it regularly. I dreaded the thought of stepping and unstepping the mast even once a year. The only good thing about the trailer is that it will save you the $600-800 year winter storage costs at a marina, if you can bring the boat home. Good luck.
I agree with everyone that the Cat 22 is a great boat. We've had a 1978 for 4 years without any problems. However, don't even think about trailering it regularly. I dreaded the thought of stepping and unstepping the mast even once a year. The only good thing about the trailer is that it will save you the $600-800 year winter storage costs at a marina, if you can bring the boat home. Good luck.
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