Catalina 22 versions

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Apr 6, 2012
3
Buccaneer 18 Fergus
I am considering buying a 22 swing keel and wonder if anyone has written a description of the changes that were made for each version perhaps by date or sail number? I understand there were two versions of the original 22 which were different (at least internally) and then there was the MkII. I have found the basic specifications changes but I am looking for more detail.

Thanks
Tony
 
Sep 19, 2010
525
Catalina 22 home
In 1986 a major upgrade to the boat incorporated fixes to most of the issues that the first model was found to have.
 

Bilbo

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Aug 29, 2005
1,265
Catalina 22 Ohio
There were originally two models.
The "New Style" is listed as starting at around 13143 in 1985.
You can spot a new style by a few things such as the lack of aluminum trim around the windows and they have two transom scupper holes.
The scupper holes on the old style are located just behind the cabin hatch.
I believe that the sliding hatches look different outside. The old style has a few ribs on it. The new style has non-skid diamond imprint.
The new style has an isolated fuel locker under the port cockpit seat and an anchor locker out on the bow and a drain for that locker has a drain hole under the bow pulpit. The shape of the S.S. rail of the bow pulpit is more arched on the old style and the new style has a more straight sided bar.

A few less noticeable things are the cabin height is a bit higher on the N/S and inside there is an ice chest when you step into the cabin. The cabin has a sink in front of the settee area next to the compression post under the mast. The compression post is SS on the new and turned wood on old style.The old style has a slide out galley on the starboard side.
A very early old style boat may still have aluminum spreaders brackets up on the mast that should be replaced and the mast is a more flexible ellipse.The N/S that I own has flattened sides in the mast extrusion.
With 15348 1995 (C22 Mk II) are a bit wider by a few inches and heavier.

With 15540
2004 (6/14) (C22 Mk II still in production) Is an attempt to return to the original old style in weight and basic design. The windows are more streamlined looking. There is only longitudinal bench seating inside the cabin along the hull. They have gotten away from the "tent camper" concept in favor of a day sailor with more interior room.
These are just some of the differences that I've tried to remember. There are many more.

Here is the sail number page: http://home.comcast.net/~catalina22fleet20/techtips/sailnumbers.htm
 
Dec 23, 2008
771
Catalina 22 Central Penna.
The first upgrade around 1986

I may not be 100% correct but I will give you the advantages of the newer model starting around 1986.

Outside;
Anchor locker at bow
Sealed from cabin fuel locker in cockpit
One small storage area in cockpit bench
Cockpit drains out the stern and not at the front of the cockpit
An operational mainsheet traveler
In mast all rope halyards

Inside;
Cabin top sloped forward for additional headroom in V-berth
New location for stove, sink, storage and a garbage can - No sliding galley
Hinged seat for easy entry to storage under starboard quarter-berth
Level floor under settee - No keel trunk to step over
48 quart cooler added and used as a step down into the cabin
Entrance to storage under cockpit benches now in the cabin and larger
Missing in the cabin is the little shelf with pin rails that was on both sides of cabin


I sailed on the old style a number of times many years ago and I remember the pain of trying to access the storage under the cockpit. So I would say the only thing the old style had over the new was that small shelf on each side in the cabin.
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Tony, is there any particular boat year, etc. that you are looking at/for?
With that information, you might get a little more info on what you are looking at, what it's worth, etc.
A lot of these guys here know an AWFUL lot about these boats.

(Some of us don't know anything)...
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
That are your intensions with the boat? Racing, day sailing, cruising? Having sailed an original version for many years, we had a GREAT time with her. But as mentioned, the 2nd version in 86 corrected a lot of issues from the original version. Nicer V-berth, better fuel locked design, and no more wood below the waterline to stiffen the hull,(was a REAL issue with our original version). Then the wing keel was offered I believe in 88 or 89. Some loss of performance, slightly more draft for launching,(trailer tounge extension required), but about eliminates keel maintenance. The MK-II version came out in 1995 and and in my opinion, they're the best design for cruising with a wider more open cabin. Much nicer interior with more room. Our MK-II has the Capri-22 wing keel and I personally would never go back to a swing keel boat, but then again, we're not racers. With the MK-II version came the new and improved swing keel. I understand that the shape is about perfect from the factory. Too bad only a few hundred MK-II versions were made, and from what I understand, the molds were not taken to the Florida plant when they closed the Woodland Hills plant, so I guess they have been discontinued. The C-22 Sport came out several years ago to answer the complaints of the MK-II version not having a "C-22 Hull". The C-22 Sport only is available with the swing keel, and production weight is extremely tight, which resolves some of the racers issues. It's interior is similar to the MK-II version with a V-berth and 2 quarter berths.

Don
 

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Apr 6, 2012
3
Buccaneer 18 Fergus
Thank you for all the information, that is exactly what i wanted.

I will use the boat for day sailing with perhaps the occasional overnight. Most of my sailing will be single handed and the boat will be kept ashore.

I know this depends on the angle of the ramp but can anyone say how much more depth do you need to launch a wing keel over a swing keel? Is it practical to trailer sail a wing keel 22 when you cannot predict the ramp conditions?

Thanks
Tony
 

Bilbo

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Aug 29, 2005
1,265
Catalina 22 Ohio
......
I know this depends on the angle of the ramp but can anyone say how much more depth do you need to launch a wing keel over a swing keel? Is it practical to trailer sail a wing keel 22 when you cannot predict the ramp conditions?
Thanks
Tony
The draft of the wing keel is = 2' 6"
Swing keel up is = 2' 0" board up/ & 5' down.
Fin =3' 6"

Do you have one specific ramp in mind or do you intend to go places?
For most of us boats are not exactly 100% practical.. but they are fun.
 

Ken

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Jun 1, 2004
1,182
Catalina 22 P. P. Y. C.
trailering

While all will agree the wing is going to usually need a bit more water to get it off. I've seen swing trailers that require much more water than most wing trailers.... So it's really hard to answer your question with a simple answer. A friend of mine has a wing, his trailer was built low in fact so low that most at first think his boat is a swing it sets that low.

I used a extension on the swing I owned many times, I have yet to use one on the wing I have now. Yes I use many of the same ramps to launch the wing I had to use the extension before to launch the swing...

Your question would be much easier to answer if there were set rules in building the trailers, problem there are many different trailers. There in lies the problem, which trailer do you get with the boat.
 
Dec 23, 2008
771
Catalina 22 Central Penna.
Ramp length is your problem

I see from your profile you have what looks like a flood control dam near you, Belwood Lake. The satellite view of this lake shows a very long launch ramp because of the water level variance throughout the year.

Ramp length is your problem when launching a keeled sailboat!

The water may be deep enough but with a short ramp the power boater’s power their boats onto the trailers causing a deep hole at the very end of the ramp. Any of the ramps at Lake Ontario may have this situation and if you do not know it you could back your trailer off the end and then you’re in big trouble.

I would make a couple trips over to Ontario and see if any of the trailerable sailboats are being launched right now for their summer mooring on the lake. A swing keel Catalina 22 is about 42 inches minimum to the waterline while on the trailer and a wing keel would be 48 inches.

If you do purchase a boat make sure you know where the end of the ramp is before backing down it. You may have to back down a little at a time and feel the ramp with a pole to find the end or get yourself wet to locate it.
 

Bilbo

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Aug 29, 2005
1,265
Catalina 22 Ohio
..........

If you do purchase a boat make sure you know where the end of the ramp is before backing down it. You may have to back down a little at a time and feel the ramp with a pole to find the end or get yourself wet to locate it.
At our lake, I was watching a couple loading a sailboat and the lady was about waist deep and going around the back. Needless to say, she stepped into that rut that you speak of and went completely submerged for about 5 seconds.
I'd advise taking a picnic to your intended ramp someday and watching a few boaters launch.
 
Apr 6, 2012
3
Buccaneer 18 Fergus
If I buy a 22 I will be sailing it in the Clearwater FL area during the winter, mainly from the Clearwater Community Sailing Community ramp which is solid concrete but not very steep. Launching is done by the club tractor using an extension bar. However I may also trailer sail the boat to other, as yet unknown, locations so I will never know the local ramp conditions. I would prefer maximum flexibility and am leaning towards a swing keel.

Tony
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
In the photos attached, you can see on the trailer for our wing keel version, the boat sits pretty low with the drop in the cross members on the frame and the drop axle. There is probably not much difference in the height of the boats waterline from a swing keel boat. We normally launch with a crane at the club, so we enjoy the best of both worlds.

Don
 

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Sep 19, 2010
525
Catalina 22 home
One thing that I like about my swing keel is the ability to crank the keel up and sail away, if I inadvertently run into an underwater obstruction (usually a sand/mud bar in my area). It also allows for sneaking up close to sandy beaches for swimming, etc. For day sailing and an occasional overnight, a properly maintained swing keel offers some additional features and no shortcomings that I can think of when compared to a wing.
 

Bilbo

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Aug 29, 2005
1,265
Catalina 22 Ohio
In the photos attached, you can see on the trailer for our wing keel version, the boat sits pretty low with the drop in the cross members on the frame and the drop axle. There is probably not much difference in the height of the boats waterline from a swing keel boat. We normally launch with a crane at the club, so we enjoy the best of both worlds.

Don
Just for the record Don, this trailer may put this wing keel hull lower to the water than many swing keel trailers. I think that mine rides higher because it has a straight axle.
 

Bilbo

.
Aug 29, 2005
1,265
Catalina 22 Ohio
One thing that I like about my swing keel is the ability to crank the keel up and sail away, if I inadvertently run into an underwater obstruction (usually a sand/mud bar in my area). It also allows for sneaking up close to sandy beaches for swimming, etc. For day sailing and an occasional overnight, a properly maintained swing keel offers some additional features and no shortcomings that I can think of when compared to a wing.
I do like my swing keel for the advantage of getting in close to shallow water and for getting off of a grounding. It rides with the C of G slightly lower than a wing with the keel down and so may have better pointing and less heel. The down side is the maintenance that is required for it to be a safer setup. I say this as I prepare to do my annual cable inspection.
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
My favorite tool for checking ramp depth, is a very short fishing rod that I keep on the boat. (By the way, I don't fish, couldn't care less). I tie a larger sinker to the end of the line, with a float/bobbin, whatever you call that thing, making sure that the weight is sufficient to pull the float under water. I measure the distance between the lead sinker and float, that distance being whatever depth that I would LIKE to see, and cast it out. If it pulls the float under water, it is that depth or more. If it floats, you know it's not deep enough. This is handy walking out the pier a known distance, ie: the length between the back of the truck, and the front of the bunk on the trailer, and drop it.
This apparatus is particularly handy as well gunk-holing, standing on the bow of the boat, and casting ahead. I've never seen a depth sounder that would tell you how deep it is, in FRONT of the boat.

Another reason as well to tow with big vehicles. If the trailer gets "stuck" off of the end of a ramp, and you do not possess the horsepower to get it back up, a very poor day indeed. It's like the 4 wheel drive/low range transfer case in my truck. I don't need it 1/10th of 1% of the time......but it's there if I need it. And I have. I typically pull the boat back up the ramp in low range. If there's any resistance back there, I don't even know it. Old Dodge-arola will pull an aircraft carrier up a ramp..
 
Nov 19, 2008
2,129
Catalina C-22 MK-II Parrish, FL
The swing will point better, most notably at slow speeds, and most of my prejudices are due to us sailing 99.9% of the time in salt water. I just couldn't imagine the issues of dealing with cast iron in salt water. Now the new style swing keels, (I believe ), would be a huge improvement in maintenance issues.

Don
 

Ken

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Jun 1, 2004
1,182
Catalina 22 P. P. Y. C.
couple points

Having seen several trailers backed over the end of a concrete ramp, no amount of horsepower will help pull it back over the "end" I've even see one unlucky fellow who had that perception when he ask another with a one ton 4-wheel drive to help him.... He did, and promptly pulled the axle and springs off the trailer... One has no option but to raise the trailer, a major project that one will see often launching on some of the Florida ramps.

I've owned both swings and the wing I currently own, the wing is much stiffer boat than either of the swings. In fact I have yet to put the rub rail even close to the water. On the swings I could wash the windows and ship water into the cockpit at will...

Pointing; it's true the wing will not point as high as a properly rigging swing keel boat. But then that leaves all those boats that are "not" properly rigged... It would be a huge misconception to believe the wings won't point....:D We've found there might be a 1 -2* difference. But the ride is totally different, I'm sure Don will agree.

You will find that those that own the early boat models seem to believe they have the "one" Those that own the "new style" believe they have the "one" (none so believe this more than those fellows I sail with who own the new style, "to them this is only model to own") Others like the MKII. These folks spend large amounts of time on the boats, I just spent 6 weeks with one of them, we both were very comfortable on each style boats. I can tell you the old style boat isn't the most comfortable (unless changes are made inside) for long term cruising. All models open many waters that won't be open with larger boats.

We sailed an area in the keys my friends could not sail with the 27 Catalina they own, in fact they could not even get the 27 into the marina we used to launch. (4' draft on the 27)

While in the beginning I didn't like the MK as well as I did the "old style" I owned for so many years. But I'm beginning to like it more and more... and the 6' 5" head room with the canvas on while at anchor makes a huge difference! But the choice is going to come down to you, no matter what we tell you.

I would encourage you to find a Catalina fleet introduce yourself ask about a sail on the different models, they all will have pluses and minuses.

It sounds like your interested in day sailing, if that's true you might want to limit your search to either one of the early old style boats or the sport model. The sport model has the early hull with the later keel hangers, but has a Capri deck. This makes getting around on the boat under sail much quicker and much easier.

Good luck with your search....
 
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