Is a 22 footer large enough?

[newly anonymous]

why buy an overnighter...

...if what you want to do is daysail? You can get a great daysailer in the 22 foot range, even with a swing keel, that will be a lot more fun to sail than something like a Catalina 22 which is designed more for weekend gunkholing.

 

[Rick Webb]

How about Two 20' to 22' Boats?

It would be plenty roomy on both that way.

 

[John Nantz]

Swing-up Rudder

Wow! Lots of good posts. I didn't read everyting but in case it hasn't been mentioned, besides a swing-up keel I would assume the boat would have a swing-up rudder as well. Hopefully a rudder with a line where the rudder depth can be adjusted.I mention this because I've seen a lot of boats with swing-up keels that don't have a swint-up rudder.Tidal Creek: re your post #16, You have a really good way with words! I'm envious.

 

[tom]

John There are advantages to a 22'

We had an 18' daysailer and a 22' overnighter. The daysailer was nice and fast but at the end of the day you had better be somewhere. Not even running lights. The 22' made for some nice daysailing and even in winter we had somewhere to go to warm up..a little. Also the daysailer could turn turtle which can be deadly in winter. A singlehander can easily spend a week on a 22' Catalina. Just stop along the way to dump the porta potti and buy ice. The old Mac 26s (we had a 1988) have all the advantages of a Catalina 22 and are easier to tow. I don't like the new Mac 26 it is a power boat with a mast.

 

[Rich]

Also consider 25's

There are lots of new and old 25-footers on the market that you'll want to consider also. The old series Catalina 25's are very manageable and some have shoal keels or swing keels. The new Hunter 25's and Catalina 250's are also very nice and affordable as new boats. I think you'll want something with a keel if you intend to sleep overnight so I would stay away from the water-ballasted Macgregors which will bounce around more than a keelboat.And if you're feeling up to the investment, a Catalina 28 or 30 with a shoal keel would be a nice sailing vacation home for a retired couple...