Catalina 22 or 16.5? Trailering/rigging concerns

[mbirms]

I know these boats are different as night and day, but my main concern is increased difficulty in trailering the 22, including stepping the mast. I'm now leaning towards the simple, lighter 16.5 because I've never trailered anything before, and being 59 years old, I suppose I should approach this incrementally by choosing the entry level boat.

Any thoughts?

 

[CaptDon01]

There is another GREAT boat your missing out on....the Capri-18, or as they are now called, the Catalina-18. More room than the 16, super stable, great performance, unsinkable, easy to trailer. However, I must admit, our C-22 is easier to raise the mast with the factory mast raising system, which we had on both boats. I think it's due to the longer gin-pole simply because the distance from the mast to the bow is longer on the C-22. Take a look at my albums on both boats. I'm 58, and rigging the C-22 isn't too much for me, but the factory mast raising system makes all the difference in the world! In my younger days, with an original C-22, mast raising was a task!

Our only complaint with the Capri-18 is that we wanted more "pottie-privacy" and cabin room for our trips, the C-22 MK-II fit the bill. But sleeping onboard the C-18 on either their hugh quarter berths, or athwartship with the filler cushions was fantastic for the wife and I!

We towed both the Capri-18 and our C-22 with a Dodge 1500 Quad-Cab with the 4.7 V8, no problems.

"click" on my name then go to the "view public profile" to see my photos.

Don

 

[jimmyb]

The 16.5 is simular to our Precision 15. You can tow it with almost anything, you will hardly know its behind you. We started sailing last year with the boat and found it a great training platform. We are ready to upgrade to a small cabin miicro cruiser for camping on the lakes around here. If your already a sailor the choice will be easier. You will know what you want for a boat. Our main concerns now are set up time and easier launching boats for more shallow ramps. We are looking for a Precision 16.5. You may want to consider the Precision 18 as it may be a perfect inbetween solution. May be easier to rig. They are only 1100lbs displacement. I have launched one and it is a breaze. Has decent amout of room below for a small boat and the guys who own them love the performance.

good luck, jimmyb

 

[sinnettc]

I've owned a Capri 16.5 in the past, and now have a Capri 22, which I think is comparable enough to the Catalina 22 for me to give my 2 cents. 8^)

There is a world of difference between the two boats. I could rig our Capri 16.5 in 30 minutes or less, get in, and go. The mast is light enough to walk up and it can be rigged single-handed, though I never did. It's a wet ride if the wind and waves are up but it's also a hoot to sail and fairly forgiving. We had ours for 2 summers and I only came close to dumping it once; I went out in 20+ knots of wind, and shouldn't have. BTW, it will turtle so most folks recommend putting a hobie style mast float on it. Towing is easy as the boat only weighs about 500 pounds.

The Capri 22, which we moved up to, is a fun boat too. The thing is, it takes me 2.5 - 3 hours to set it up; maybe 3/4 of that to break it back down to take home. I think a normal C22 is probably similar in setup time. We keep the boat at a marina all summer so that's only an issue if we travel. The big plus of the Capri 22 and C22 is that you can sleep on them! Can't really do that on a Cp16.5. Towing requires a 1/2 ton pickup or similar as the boat/trailer weigh in around 3500 pounds.

Either one is fun, so you just need to decide how you're going to deal with setup time and what you want to tow it with.