Catalina 22 A Dead Class?

Apr 21, 2015
127
Catalina 22 Sport #15582 Indianapolis
Who says the Catalina 22 is a dead class? With 18 events (regattas and cruises) on the calendar so far this year, a bi-monthly news publication, a vibrant website with at least 500 available articles and boat load of other helpful resources, a great little boat (now Catalina 22 Sport) that is still in continuous production since 1969, this 40+ year old class has many decade's worth of sailing fun remaining! Get involved today. Visit www.catalina22.org to see if there is an event near you. If not, start one. We will help promote it!
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
Rich,
Although our fleet is getting older, it's amazing the new blood that's coming into the class and putting some of these boats that have sat in the backyards, or on the hard at marina's back into service. Yeah, the factory might not be pumping out new C-22's like they did in the past, but the dedicated owners, new and old, are sure keeping them alive and out there sailing.
Who do you think are the biggest competitors of the C-22? It's all those C-22's!

Don
 
Sep 30, 2013
3,595
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
I wish Catalina Yachts were still building a "cruising" C22 (not that I could afford to buy one!). Or perhaps I should say, I wish more people wanted to BUY trailer-sailing pocket cruisers. Personally, I just can't get excited about "racing" at five knots.

But then, I guess many others find it hard to get excited about "cruising" in 21.5' LOA.

Maybe I should be grateful. Wouldn't want a bunch of other little boats crowding my "secret" anchorages anyway. ;)
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,673
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Interesting you should mention all this. Lake Murray Sailing Club is hosting the Catch 22 Regatta Easter weekend. The event is open to Catalina 22s and Ensigns.
http://www.lmsc.org/catch-22-regatta
We'd love to have y'all come out.
image.png
 
Mar 20, 2015
3,236
C&C 30 Mk1 Winnipeg
Alas, here in Canada we have some awesome sailing locations, but no C22 fleets that I'm aware of.

I think that Lake of the Woods, which hosts the 50 year old LOWISA http://www.lowisa.org/ every year, is one of the best sailing spots around. Having a gathering there, so other C22 sailors could experience it would be great IMO.

Err... Nevermind. I'm with Gene about keeping secrets... please mentally delete the above. ;)
 
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Apr 21, 2015
127
Catalina 22 Sport #15582 Indianapolis
Gene-
I've heard that request a lot ... wishing Catalina Yachts would continue to build a cruising type boat. When the Mk-II went out of production in 2012, it had a sail-away price tag between $30-35K. A new Sport has a base price of around $22K. Then add motor, sails, trailer, dealer preparation, freight, and you're back at $30K minimum for a new Catalina 22 sailboat. Every now and then, a good used Catalina 22 Mk-II comes available, but they sell fast, since only a few hundred were every built. Catalina Yachts is pretty focused on large boats...larger than 26 feet. It's been over 10 years since they introduced anything under 26 feet. And the 250 is out-of-production.
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Gene-
I've heard that request a lot ... wishing Catalina Yachts would continue to build a cruising type boat. When the Mk-II went out of production in 2012, it had a sail-away price tag between $30-35K. A new Sport has a base price of around $22K. Then add motor, sails, trailer, dealer preparation, freight, and you're back at $30K minimum for a new Catalina 22 sailboat. Every now and then, a good used Catalina 22 Mk-II comes available, but they sell fast, since only a few hundred were every built. Catalina Yachts is pretty focused on large boats...larger than 26 feet. It's been over 10 years since they introduced anything under 26 feet. And the 250 is out-of-production.
They tried again with the 275 Sport. A decent boat, but you could probably count the number that they sold on your fingers. I think the problem there was they didn't know where to position the boat, so they aimed at two different targets and missed them both.

So it was probably wise that they split the 22 market into two separate boats. For a while. While the racers didn't like it, it was clear that the original design was not going to satisfy new boat buyers forever.
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
"They tried again with the 275 Sport. A decent boat, but you could probably count the number that they sold on your fingers. I think the problem there was they didn't know where to position the boat, so they aimed at two different targets and missed them both."
Here are 3 C-275's almost ready to roll out the door last year when I visited the factory, blue white, and gray. Seen two at the Catalina dealer in Port Sanilac Michigan last summer, and several in San Diego on the bay before we left. I think they've manufactured more than you suspect.

Don
CATALINA LARGO 215.jpg
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
"They tried again with the 275 Sport. A decent boat, but you could probably count the number that they sold on your fingers. I think the problem there was they didn't know where to position the boat, so they aimed at two different targets and missed them both."
Here are 3 C-275's almost ready to roll out the door last year when I visited the factory, blue white, and gray. Seen two at the Catalina dealer in Port Sanilac Michigan last summer, and several in San Diego on the bay before we left. I think they've manufactured more than you suspect.
Of course. And I hope they have. I just get around abit, and have never seen one randomly in someones hands. I know a guy on Lake Michigan with one. And one (as you note) in Sandy Ago.