I'm looking at 2 boats, '81 Catalina and '85 Hunter. They're both in great shape my wife and I are wanting something we can spend the weekend on so the cabin size is very important plus I'm 6'4. Just wanting to know pro's con's both boats. First time sailboat buyer.
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More information please! What is the size and year models of both boats? Are you planning to slip the boat or trailer sail? It took me 3 years to decide that I wanted a Catalina 22, and I haven't regretted my decision. I choose a C-22 because there is a large class association, they handle great and are easy to single-hand and trailer. There are dealers across the country, so parts are readily available. I am 6'3 and camp and cruise my boat all of the time. Granted, more cabin space would be nice, but larger boats are not as trailerable. In fact, I think the Catalina 22 is the perfect trailer sailor. If you are not concerned about trailering, a Catalina 25 is a great boat, with much more cabin space. I have sailed a Hunter 23.5, wing keel. They do not sail upwind as well as a catalina, swing keel. They do have more cabin space than a C-22, but my friend recently sold his and bought a bigger boat, for more cabin space. He choose a South Coast 26, because it has more headroom than a Catalina 25. His wife can stand up in it, but I cannot; I think it has 5'11 or so headroom.
More information please! What is the size and year models of both boats? Are you planning to slip the boat or trailer sail? It took me 3 years to decide that I wanted a Catalina 22, and I haven't regretted my decision. I choose a C-22 because there is a large class association, they handle great and are easy to single-hand and trailer. There are dealers across the country, so parts are readily available. I am 6'3 and camp and cruise my boat all of the time. Granted, more cabin space would be nice, but larger boats are not as trailerable. In fact, I think the Catalina 22 is the perfect trailer sailor. If you are not concerned about trailering, a Catalina 25 is a great boat, with much more cabin space. I have sailed a Hunter 23.5, wing keel. They do not sail upwind as well as a catalina, swing keel. They do have more cabin space than a C-22, but my friend recently sold his and bought a bigger boat, for more cabin space. He choose a South Coast 26, because it has more headroom than a Catalina 25. His wife can stand up in it, but I cannot; I think it has 5'11 or so headroom.
Bunk Length
Bill: At 6' 2" I find my C22 just fine. It performs quite well under sail, is durable, parts for maintenance are readily available, and other owners are a most helpful and sociable. My C22 does not even have a pop-top, but we move the top hatch out of the way rather often giving lots of headroom for cooking etc. Getting into and out of the bunk at bedtime is a little athletic, but OK for me. If I were in your situation, I'd try that aspect for both of the boats you are considering. Or better yet, I would try to rent or borrow both on typical weekends before purchasing, to see if it is really for me. Also, think about ventilation in hot country, and about associated bugs where you might anchor. You can put netting over open areas, but the more you need to keep open the more difficult that is. Dick
Bill: At 6' 2" I find my C22 just fine. It performs quite well under sail, is durable, parts for maintenance are readily available, and other owners are a most helpful and sociable. My C22 does not even have a pop-top, but we move the top hatch out of the way rather often giving lots of headroom for cooking etc. Getting into and out of the bunk at bedtime is a little athletic, but OK for me. If I were in your situation, I'd try that aspect for both of the boats you are considering. Or better yet, I would try to rent or borrow both on typical weekends before purchasing, to see if it is really for me. Also, think about ventilation in hot country, and about associated bugs where you might anchor. You can put netting over open areas, but the more you need to keep open the more difficult that is. Dick
You thinking
Bill: Your're thinking ahead, and that's good. We have had our C-22 for 25 years now, so I think that that speaks for itself about how much we like our boat. I placed an offer on a C-25 last fall, but I missed the boat and I'm still kicking myself. I would have still kept our boat though, and given it to my son to use when we go on our summer cruise each summer. Now to your questions. I don't know too much about Hunters. I think that they changed them frequently, where Catalina only changed their 22 three times in about 30, years. What that means is that someone can't just look at a C-22 and know its age. If you take good care your boat, this will keep it from looking like an old boat. Our impression is that Hunter's aren't as fast as Catalinas, but that could be because they were sold with more equipment than Catalinas, so maybe they were heavier. We spend almost every weekend on our C-22 all summer, and spend a week every summer cruising on it on the Chesapeake Bay with Catalina 22 Fleet 10 from Annapolis, Maryland. Let me add that we do this with our two sons that are now 19 and 18. My son that's 18 is about 6' 3", at least that's what he was the last time I measured him. He's probably one of the main reasons that I even looked at the C-25 last fall. My wife and I sleep in the "V" berth, and my tall son sleeps on the port side of the boat over the table. My other son sleeps on the starboard side where the galley formally tucked in. We removed our galley a year or two ago, and put a plastic drawer unit onto the starboard side for storage, just aft of the first cushion. This has worked well, but that's another issue. You might consider making a board or boards to fill in the walkway down the center of the C-22, if you buy one. Then, you can move the cushions around and have a nice big bunk for you and your wife. I know people who have done this. I really enjoy sleeping on our boat in the V berth. The air comes in the front hatch and it is a nice way to sleep. But, I'm only about 5'9", and I don't think that you could stretch out in the V berth. We do have a pop-top, and although I can't stand up with it up, it does help get air through the boat at anchor and makes a little more room, which is really important when we cruise. Dick: We have screens for our front hatch and main hatchway. We are working on a screen for around the pop-top when it's up. It's made from a sleeping bag screen. We're still working on it, but it helps us get a little more air circulation. Bill: I hope some of this reply helps you with your decision. When I was in your position, an old sailor that I worked with said to me, "Go take a look at a Catalina 22". That was it. Aldo
Bill: Your're thinking ahead, and that's good. We have had our C-22 for 25 years now, so I think that that speaks for itself about how much we like our boat. I placed an offer on a C-25 last fall, but I missed the boat and I'm still kicking myself. I would have still kept our boat though, and given it to my son to use when we go on our summer cruise each summer. Now to your questions. I don't know too much about Hunters. I think that they changed them frequently, where Catalina only changed their 22 three times in about 30, years. What that means is that someone can't just look at a C-22 and know its age. If you take good care your boat, this will keep it from looking like an old boat. Our impression is that Hunter's aren't as fast as Catalinas, but that could be because they were sold with more equipment than Catalinas, so maybe they were heavier. We spend almost every weekend on our C-22 all summer, and spend a week every summer cruising on it on the Chesapeake Bay with Catalina 22 Fleet 10 from Annapolis, Maryland. Let me add that we do this with our two sons that are now 19 and 18. My son that's 18 is about 6' 3", at least that's what he was the last time I measured him. He's probably one of the main reasons that I even looked at the C-25 last fall. My wife and I sleep in the "V" berth, and my tall son sleeps on the port side of the boat over the table. My other son sleeps on the starboard side where the galley formally tucked in. We removed our galley a year or two ago, and put a plastic drawer unit onto the starboard side for storage, just aft of the first cushion. This has worked well, but that's another issue. You might consider making a board or boards to fill in the walkway down the center of the C-22, if you buy one. Then, you can move the cushions around and have a nice big bunk for you and your wife. I know people who have done this. I really enjoy sleeping on our boat in the V berth. The air comes in the front hatch and it is a nice way to sleep. But, I'm only about 5'9", and I don't think that you could stretch out in the V berth. We do have a pop-top, and although I can't stand up with it up, it does help get air through the boat at anchor and makes a little more room, which is really important when we cruise. Dick: We have screens for our front hatch and main hatchway. We are working on a screen for around the pop-top when it's up. It's made from a sleeping bag screen. We're still working on it, but it helps us get a little more air circulation. Bill: I hope some of this reply helps you with your decision. When I was in your position, an old sailor that I worked with said to me, "Go take a look at a Catalina 22". That was it. Aldo
Don't regret my C-22
My 1973 C-22 came from Indiana.I'm also 6'2".I fit into the v-berth,just barely.I knew nothing about any of the trailerable sailboats.The help ,information and the sailing experiance itself convinces me everytime that I made the right decision.There is no doubt that I will get my money back out of it when it is time to upgrade.It will probably be another Catalina.Unless I can swing a Pacific Seacraft.
My 1973 C-22 came from Indiana.I'm also 6'2".I fit into the v-berth,just barely.I knew nothing about any of the trailerable sailboats.The help ,information and the sailing experiance itself convinces me everytime that I made the right decision.There is no doubt that I will get my money back out of it when it is time to upgrade.It will probably be another Catalina.Unless I can swing a Pacific Seacraft.
Mine's for sail in Michigan
Bill, I've just put my C-22 on the market. I'm in Grand Haven, MI. Email me for details: fredsb@michigan.gov Sweet shape, sweet price.
Bill, I've just put my C-22 on the market. I'm in Grand Haven, MI. Email me for details: fredsb@michigan.gov Sweet shape, sweet price.
Think about it!
There are 3 times more Cat 22 around than any other 22, the price is always as much or more than the others. You will never find someone who is selling their Catalina 22 because they didn't like it!
There are 3 times more Cat 22 around than any other 22, the price is always as much or more than the others. You will never find someone who is selling their Catalina 22 because they didn't like it!
We've owned both.
We started sailing with a 1995 Hunter 26. She's a great trailerable boat with a ton of room. Great for sailing/camping trips and learning to sail. Ours had a marine head and holding tank(20 gal) and was good for 10 to 12 days. We took a 2 year break and went crusing on our Island Packet 38, but thats another story. Since returning we now sail a 1980 Catalina 22. This is the most fun sailing we've had. The 22 is very much a performance boat when set up properly and big enough to camp out on for 3 to 4 days with the porta-potty. They trailer nicely and have good storage room. Both boats will be short on head room for you. The Hunter boats in the 23.5 will have slightly better headroom, but for sailing enjoyment I would go with the Catalina 22. Contact use thru this sites owner list if I can help more. Ray
We started sailing with a 1995 Hunter 26. She's a great trailerable boat with a ton of room. Great for sailing/camping trips and learning to sail. Ours had a marine head and holding tank(20 gal) and was good for 10 to 12 days. We took a 2 year break and went crusing on our Island Packet 38, but thats another story. Since returning we now sail a 1980 Catalina 22. This is the most fun sailing we've had. The 22 is very much a performance boat when set up properly and big enough to camp out on for 3 to 4 days with the porta-potty. They trailer nicely and have good storage room. Both boats will be short on head room for you. The Hunter boats in the 23.5 will have slightly better headroom, but for sailing enjoyment I would go with the Catalina 22. Contact use thru this sites owner list if I can help more. Ray
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