new here, leaning O'day...

[rpludwig]

New to this forum, been lurking for awhile, a great wealth of knowledge for sure...
Always been a powerboater, but was introduced to sailing with a friend (experienced skipper), 10 years or so ago, we've done 5 or 6 weeklong charters on the Chesapeake in various craft, mostly Beneteau's 38'+ out of Deltaville, with just the two of us and wives.

Great experiences, learned a lot, plenty more to learn though. I'm about to dive in, thinking an O'Day 22 (78-80's vintage) as a starter boat, seems like a likely choice. We live on the Fingerlakes in upstate NY, so no great lakes sailing planned (at least not with this boat).

Have looked at a few, and another tomorrow, any tips, cautions, other boat suggestions in this class b4 I purchase? Any serious concerns about the shoal keel?

(I do want something I can trailer, not daily, but to our winter storage and back out in the spring, and one we can spend some overnites on.)

Thanks in advance, great forum here!
Ron

 

[cb32863]

Check those chainplate penetrations for leaks and wet bulkheads. Check all deck penetrations and make sure there is no core rot. Lots of boats out there in that size that would be great for you.....

 

[agprice22]

Which lake? I am on Seneca. I could show you my 272 if you are near Watkins Glen. It is trailerable. There is one for sale in our marina. There is a nice Irwin 28 there too.

 

[rpludwig]

gents, thx for your replys, all good advice.

agprice22....we're located near top of Canandaigua Lake.

I've looked at/considered going a bit larger (27/28') and have looked @ Irwins, 272's, Catalinas, etc., specs and pic's of many available in this region. Have come to the conclusion to stick with 22/23's as a starter given my position on the sailing learning curve, for ease of handling and experimentation. That said, the next one (which could come sooner rather than later) would likely be that larger 27/28 variety, especially for more room below/living quarters, etc.

More advice most welcomed, keep it coming...you guys have the experience which I lack for sure!

 

[cb32863]

Take a peek at what I have, Beneteau First 235. Awesome pocket cruiser with great performance as well.....

 

[Brian S]

If it were my choice, I'd probably look for an O'day 222 before a 22. I like the more modern styling of the 222 better than the 22, and the 222 performs a bit better than a 22. Haha, I have the smaller 192 cousin of the 222, so I'm biased. Also, the Precision 21 and 23 are great boats. The Beneteau First 235 is a great performer, especially the fin keel version, but more difficult from a trailering and launching perspective than the wing keel version. Also, for a smaller boat, the Beneteau First 21 is a great performing boat. Of course, you didn't mention anything about performance. I will say the shoal keel with centerboard is a great cruising combination, easier to launch and work on boat when it's on the trailer. If you were in coastal waters, you'd like the gunkholing aspects of the stub keel as well. If you want to go cheap in the 22' range, you can't do much worse than a Catalina 22. There's a reason they made so many of them, and because there are so many, they are easy and inexpensive to get used.

 

[rpludwig]

More good advice!...will look into Beneteaus, 222's and others...performance is not my main objective on this first go around, but certainly a consideration. The Beneteaus I've been on in the bay were great/well made boats IMO.

Just returned from looking at another O'Day 22, clearly not as advertised!! Geeze, what a mess...

The hunt continues, recommendations of good ones in the area most welcomed!

Thx, guys...

 

[agprice22]

Given that you are already thinking you will move up, and you will lose money on every sailboat you own, perhaps you should buy your second boat first, and save the money?
I understand there is a comfort factor, but any good friend will help you through the steps and the learning curve. Heck, it is part of the fun.
Every factor of the bigger boat, like a 272 will be a big advance over the 22 or 23 ft boat. The cabins are roomier, and you will be more likely to overnight and weekend on it. Likewise, if you have to put it in a slip, you will use it more. You won't trailer-sail a 27 ft boat!
We had a C22. It was a fine boat. We liked it. However, we LOVE our 272. It is a fun boat, has 6 ft of headroom, lots of room for accessories and upgrades, which I love to do! It is trailerable with its shoal wing keel. We chose this size so we could bring it home to our shed for the Wi ter (I refuse to utter the word for several more months!)
Anyway, don't be afraid. After a season or two, you will be looking for your next challenge. It makes sense to go bigger now, for logical reasons. I think of moving up to a 30 or 34, but then I couldn't trailer it!
For a 272, you would need a pickup to trailer it. You probably won't launch it or erect the mast yourself. We have had ours for two seasons, and I am just making plans for launching it myself.

Feel free to contact me. i would love to show you my boat!

 

[rpludwig]

quite the day yesterday, looked at an O'day 22, essentially a wreck, right down to snow load driving the mast down and thru the companionway hatch, chainplates and ports all leaking, etc., it was literally sickening as it had been advertised as in "good condition".

Late in the day a new listing popped up on CL, 10 min from the house, took a looksee...a C22/1984/poptop w/vg good trlr and vg motor essentially NIB condition, original owner, all documentation plus the whole enchilada of accessories. (the only downside was the flares are outdated!!)

So while a Cat wasn't my first choice it will certainly fit the bill as a trainer in the near term.

I want to thank y'all for your feedback and advice, I'll be back here when the time comes to step up to a 27/28/30 footer!

Best & smooth sailin' to all!

 

[Gene Neill]

Welcome to the C22 forum! LOL

 

[Brian S]

(the only downside was the flares are outdated!!)

When are flares ever NOT outdated? In 3 years, you'll have more outdated than current!

 

[rpludwig]

yup, will be over on that C22 forum...
LOL, still have a pile 'o flares from the past boats!