Comparing 3 boats I have found..

[cb32863]

So I am always poking around the Sailboat Listings site and various others just in case something comes up and I can join the spend all my money on a boat fraternity. So I have found a few boats that I would like folks' opinions on. All are very similiar in condition, cost, and what they come with so I am looking for info on build quality, sailing characteristics, ease of steping and unsteping the mast, etc.. So here they are;

1977 O'Day 22'
1981 Catalina 22'
1981 Hunter 22'

Still not sure if I want to go with a 22 footer or wait and just get a 25 foot or so, but my "need" for my own boat may just throw me over the edge.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Just a thought ...

I find the Catalina 22 to be by far the most common boat on our lake. This should give you peace of mind with regard to its popularity when it comes time to sell. I also know an owner of a Catalina 25 who moved up because he did not feel the 22 was 'substantial' enough for his use ... he seemed to like the hardware, rigging and spars more on his 25. A 25' sailboat on our lake is considered to be large, there are only a handful of larger sailboats on our lake. We have an over-abundance of 30+ foot high performance power boats with 500+ HP, though, that can criss-cross the lake in a matter of seconds.

 

[Cayennita]

The PHRF ratings for the 3 boats shows that the Hunter 22 is fastest, then Catalina 22 and the O'Day the slowest. Not much difference, but there you have it. I would look at the trailer condition for all 3 and also how high the boat sits on the trailer. The higher, the farther down the ramp you have to go. They can all be rigged easily. The Catalina seems to have the largest following with rendezvous at various lakes in the US.

 

[MrUnix]

Of the three, I'd go with a H22.. it has, IMHO, the absolute best layout and utilization of space between the three. The O'Day and Cat are similar, however the Cat has what I consider a very poor layout and lots of wasted space (and earlier models have a dangerous fuel tank location). That said, the C22 is also much more popular and numerous than the other two, which does have it's advantages should you go that way.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[druid]

I think at that age the condition of the boat is FAR more important than the brand-name. All 3 are similar enough that you should be looking at condition, etc. rather than mfr.

druid

 

[Texas Lake Sailor]

Had a a Catalina 22, great boat, easy to handle and to work on. A 25 ft boat will give you more room, a little less like camping if you stay over night on it.

 

[redhead78]

Take a look at the Tanzer 22, very solid boat, big cockpit....

 

[Joe]

They're all good boats... make your decision on condition, equipment, price and, most importantly, the one that makes your heart beat faster.

 

[Ed Schenck]

I think price versus condition wins out as mentioned already. But for what it is worth I owned a C22 and did not like the boat. The rigging of the mainsheet/traveler was very inconvenient. Below it was much less comfortable than my friend's Hunter 22. And he could sail away from me on most points of sail.

 

[Freedom77]

Catalina 22 is the largest production trailerable cruiser ever built. Therefore it's easy to get parts and find people who sail them. There factory is in Woodland Hills, California. Fair Winds, Old Salt...