Catalina 22 Owners: Need Advice Quickly

philwsailz · Jul 8, 2009

The cons first:
The C-22 is a smallish boat. You will need to become proficient and comfortable with your ability to co-exist with each other in a very small space. Think of it as a pop-top Coleman camper, except you cannot go outside if it... You cannot just "take a walk" to get a little breathing room for a little while.

No enclosed head, and limited galley function.

That actually is about all I think of on the cons side.

The pros for a C-22
Easily rigged mast-stepped and launched by a couple, (after a few times practice) from the trailer.
Can be towed by smaller tow vehicles than the 25 or the 27.
A smaller boat is easier to clean and maintain, by a tiny bit.
Simple systems ensure reliability compared to inboard motors, helm wheel steering, and other mechanicals.
Tons of fellow sailers who can share experiences, tips, advice, etc.
Depending on your offer, it is possible to get a return on your investment; considering the 22 a starter boat is a path may have chosen.

I appreciate your dilemma. I too had decided I wanted a bigger boat, a 25 or 27 in particular. I still do. I want that volume of room down below, the more fully fleshed out galley and head, but these things come at a price in terms of maintenance. I am in my C-22 now as a result of the very place you are in. I decided I wanted a bigger boat, told the previous owner that was the case, and then I backed up my comment with a "ridiculously low" offer, which he kindly accepted... He had me hooked, and I had to buy the boat.

I think a 25 is still within my physical means as far as rigging, trailering and launching, but with my experiece with a friend who has a trailerable C-25, it is a LOT more boat. More mast to step, more trailer to haul, more swing keel to crank, more wood to maintain, more polishing and waxing... I wonder often if I would really be happier withe bigger boat, or frustrated at the attention it required.

Hopefully that provides some direction and insight from this sailor who has been and still is in a similar 2-foot-itis situation.

By the way, I am EXTREMELY pleased with my boat. I was out moonlight sailing last night when I saw, way off in the distance, the only other boat out on the lake, and it was a sailboat, by the running and masthead lighting. I made my way towards here, we intersected, and exchanged pleasantries, and then I proceeded to blow the doors off the other boat, a Hunter 26. Rigged right, the Catalina 22 can be a spirited performer.

Stu Jackson · Jul 8, 2009

We had a C22 for a few years, then moved up to a C25. The doubling in volume is startling, and pleasantly so. We kept that C25 for 11 or 12 years before moving up to our C34. No idea how quick a study you are, but the C25 is NOT a BIG boat. With your plans, I'd hold out for a C25 first, it'll last you and your family a lot longer time, and you'll be much more comfortable staying on board. We towed the C22 up to a lake and sun/swam/goofed around during summers, and only daysailed during the winter. And we were much, much, much, much younger then.

Stephen K · Jul 8, 2009

"My wife and I are both 58 and want to start out Lake sailing to become more proficient. Then move on to some Galveston Bay sailing with a possibility of going south for a few days on the ICW."

I understand the desire and excitement of buying your 1st sailboat; but buying it quickly is not what I would do...especially if you are already second guessing which boat. Why not take some sailing courses, build your skills and sail on both sized boats for awhile before making a buying decision? The Galevston / Kemah area has good ASA schools and I am sure some have some sailing clubs that you can sail on many different boats.

If you must buy, I'd go with the C-25, based on your plans.

NCNoviceCouple · Jul 8, 2009

We bought our C22 in March and it is our first sailboat. We keep the boat in an NC marina and plan to do so for 6-7 months each year and let the boat stay on the trailer the rest of the year to save the slip fees. Slips are readily available so I have the luxury of going back to the marina when I'm ready. Part of the reason we keep the boat in the water is to avoid stepping/unstepping the mast each time we go out. My wife and I are forty-somethings and while we can handle the mast, it's not a lot of fun after a day on the water.

Last week we took a 19 mile sail to a point near the Pamilco sound in NC. We spent the night and returned home the next day. I think we could easily spend 2 days/nights on the boat if the weather cooperated. 3 days would require stopping where we could get out and walk around for a while.

The C22 has been a good trailer sailer for us and we are already talking about getting a larger boat for more space. We do not have any interest in a larger trailerable boat though due to the towing weight and larger mast. We will be very happy with our C22 until we are ready to commit to year-round marina fees and the extra expenses that come with larger boats - more electronics, built-in head, lift fees, etc. A larger boat might be 2-3 year away and we don't mind.

If you get the C22 I think you will be happy with it's short-term accomadations, ease of towing and launcing and simple design. But you might envy your neighbor's C30!

gbrewer74 · Jul 9, 2009

C22

I have had my 1987 C22 for three years now. My first boat and I got it to learn on. It has done a great job in doing that. However, the wife and I would like to start doing some cursing and we have found the C22 a little tight on space, after all it's only 22 feet. Wait till you have to use the potty while underway. If you are going to keep it on the trailer all the time I don't think you could fine a better boat. The wife and I can have the mast stepped and all rigged in about 45 minutes. I know some people will say it can be done faster. I think your plan on using this boat to learn and then move up to a 27-30 foot boat is a great idea. I would suggest that you look at this sight everyday, and their are some other excellent sights for the C22 that have a ton of information. I hope you enjoy your little boat as much as we have enjoied ours.

Stu Jackson · Jul 9, 2009

Congratulations for making the choice, in spite of what we may have said!

The C22 Association website will be of great value to you. www.catalina22.org

Bilbo · Jul 10, 2009

Hi,
I'd like to add some "pros".
We have had our C-22 for a few years now and I would say that it's good enough for a night or two in the water with two people. Of course it's a bit small at times and you have to always move something to do something else but it does have a fair comfort level as far as I'm concerned. I've also compared it to a tent camper of sorts as it's designed back around the heyday of camping trailers. I've only done one overnighter on board and it was comfortable. For just a day sailor, we've have had up to 7 adults and two younguns at one time out on the water and it's a tight experience but she sailed admirably. We generally sail with two adults and two dogs and one can have some peace from each other if one wants.

From what I've seen, my C-22 is fairly sturdy and the mast support (stays and shrouds) is better than many other boats out there that aren't Catalinas. I'd say that as a performer, there are always going to be boats that can do better in some way than the C 22 but all- round performance is enjoyable and relatively safe. Repair parts are easy to obtain and fairly reasonable in price. for trailer sailing, the vehicle size is reasonable. For servicing, many things are a DIY and can be done with one person. For exanple, I am still strong enouch that I can raise the mast by myself. A larger boat will probably always cost more in every aspect of the experience.

Relative to sailing on larger waters, I'd refer to your experience and abilities as your guide. Learn first on easier conditions. If' you want to play it safe and enjoy sailing, don't try to push the boat until you know how it's going to respond. I'v seen reports from C 22 sailers in many areas of the world including Maine, Fla Keys, Gulf of Mex., Mackinaw, S.F. Bay, so they seem to be able to handle faily well in rougher situations but do your research well before you try it.

If you buy this boat and you lose interest after exploring the experience of sailing, you have not invested quite as much into this as someone who went out and started bigger. So, selling it and getting away from it may actually be easier.

"Cons"
It's not the biggest boat out there. As such, someone may want to show off their bigger boat or their faster boat. So, some people seem to get bitten by the upgrade bug. This happens with people and their camping equipment also. If this happens, you simply sell the C-22 and buy something bigger. Or keep it for the fun of sailing it and buy a bigger boat for comfort and of course to show off.

philwsailz · Jul 10, 2009

that is awwwwwesome.

congrats on both arrivals!

jdooley · Jul 10, 2009

re

jbrosser,

google chipford.com
its a good resource for the catalina 22

KJH · Jul 13, 2009

Congratulations on Addelyn Grace, both of them. The "Admiral" and I have shared very similar experiences. Learning on a smaller lake, boating and navigation classes, and after eight years, graduation to a bigger pond, Lake Michigan.
You have been given some wonderful advice and our experiences with our C22 would echo those responses. You will find that you will establish procedures and practices aboard Addelyn Grace that will make her the perfect boat for you(and of course, The Admiral). We have found that our C22 is fine for us on a big pond provided we stay out of 5 foot waves and 25 Knot winds. Good luck and hopefully one day, Addelyn Grace will sail on Addelyn Grace with you.

philwsailz · Jul 14, 2009

Pictures are in order for sure. Both new arrivals!!!!

Congrats, congrats, congrats...

Let us know if you have any issues, we will be nere to help!

philwsailz · Jul 15, 2009

Before my marine mechanic's sister went into the marine upholstery and vinyl business, I used a local place called "Signs Now". They were used to CNC plotter cutting vinyl boat numbers. I bet you can find a local custom sign shop that has a vinyl cutter. They can do your boat name and even do your registration number in the same matching UV-stable vinyl material. I would start in the yellow pages; I bet you will find a local shop who has cut vinyl boat names and registration numbers before.

Catalina 22 Owners: Need Advice Quickly

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