Hunter 22 sailing characteristics

David in Sandusky · Feb 9, 2015

Check the reviews

There are over 40 owner reviews here:

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_brevs&model=6&Itemid=170

Many discuss sailing characteristics.

Crazy Dave Condon · Feb 10, 2015

I always taught my customers never to heel over 14 degrees because the flatter some boats sail the faster nor will you be fighting the tiller. Thru the use of sail control is a big key. Most 22's are about the same but a lot depends on knowledge and experience which only you can determine. IF you do not know how to sail, get someone or a company that teaches sailing to teach you. One good piece of advice, never heel way over that will scare the heck out of the crew particularly wife or girlfriend and children unless you want to sail by yourself.

Dave602 · Feb 10, 2015

The older 22 is a great little boat. Lot of room for their size. Mine seemed tender at first. It liked to heal 15-20 degrees. We traveled up and down the Chesapeake in ours in good weather and horrible. She always did fine. Like Crazy Dave says if you are new to sailing get someone to go with you at first to show you trim etc. We bought ours with no experience and learned very quickly.

Have fun!

MaxinCalgary · Feb 10, 2015

When I first sailed a centreboard sailboat, it seemed very tender. I was always trying to sail with everything flying and sheeted in as you would with a keel boat most of the time. I was forever easing the main sheet in the gusts. I have learned to balance the sails more reef to begin with most times, running with full sails on light airs and am now amazed how well she sails in 25 kts days . 15-20 heel max on the heavy days and hardens up nicely.

Dave602 · Feb 10, 2015

I think because of the length and width the older 22 will seem to roll more. She will balance nicely though. I sailed many an hour with her healed over and barely having to work the tiller. Reefing and balanced sails are the key for them.

inarathree · Feb 12, 2015

Most boats this size are tender. As others have mentioned the key is to sail flat as you can, and keeping the heeling down to 15-20 degrees. If I pushed beyond 20, she would round up. She was so inclined to round up, that even in unexpected gusts, she would round up well before her rail would bury. I tried to sail her flat as best as i could. She was fastest this way, and the admiral liked it best. I would always reef when the winds were above 12-15 Knts, and had no issues sail in winds over 20. Don't be afraid of reefing, your manlihood is not in jeopardy for doing it. When I first got my H22 I couldn't get here to sail well, and was always fighting the tiller, but everything changed when I got new sails. Having good sails goes along way to how the boat sails, feels, and can be controlled.

Sorry I don't have her any more of i would offer to take you out, as she was in the water 365.

earlfixit · Feb 28, 2015

I see I've not checked this out in several weeks. I have a H22 and it's a great boat. Very roomy and you'll love the head room for a 22' boat. She points well and sails faster than most C22's. Mine likes the head-sail and in very high winds I've sailed with just the storm job and no main and she handled well. I could probably use a new main but I found reefing when the winds are over 10 is a good idea for me. I've raced, and won, in high 15 to 20 mph winds with a double reefed main and a 155 head-sail. We love ours.

Crazy Dave Condon · Feb 28, 2015

The Compac 23 is a well built boat but heavier an is actually well suited where the winds are constant and strong. On inland lakes with lighter airs, they do not perform as well. I use to sell them as well as Hunter but now a retired dealer. As I have always preached, do not heel over 12-14 degrees and you will sail faster with better control of the boat. Won manyu races with that philosophy.

earlfixit · Mar 1, 2015

We have 2 Catalina 22's in out club with wing keels. They sail great when the wind is up over 10 but when we have light air and they are sitting flat they can never get them to point very high. My H22 out points them by 15 degrees. I've tried to explain to them that the boat needs to heal for the wing to take effect but I don't thing they grasped the concept.

SeaTR · Jun 6, 2015

Ditto with what Inarathree said. I have a 1981 H22 swing keel. It's been a project boat for me (refer to Need Rudder and swing keel dimensions), and have been sailing her for 7 years on Long Island Sound under conditions that range from light and variable with waves < 1 ft ...to 15-20 kts with waves 3 - 6 ft.

It's always been a pleasure to sail, and I've done it mostly single-handed (the admiral is reluctant to go out much). What helps is that all lines (including downhauls) lead to the cockpit. Most any boat, especially the older H22s, being a bit beamy, sail better when flatter (I tend to keep her <15 degrees) ... less weather helm.

My main is the original and has one reefing point. I've not had the pleasure of reefing the main yet, as I have not yet configured the reefing lines, blocks and cleats to do so. Nor have I installed / used a boom vang. The bails are installed and I made up the vang lines and blocks, but I don't want to add it yet in order to keep the number of control lines down.

SeaTR

SeaTR · Jun 7, 2015

archimedes,
One more thing for you (see attached article from Hunter)... hope this helps your perspective.

SeaTR

Hunter 22 sailing characteristics

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