New to Sailing

BlowMeAway · Sep 17, 2018

Welcome to the forum @dc volts . Do you have an auxiliary motor with the purchase? Trailer? The Cat 22 looks good. Congratulations.

jssailem · Sep 17, 2018

Congratulations @dc volts and welcome to the forum. Very pretty boat.
Get and use a Personal Flotation Device ALWAYS. IF they were not included in the

dc volts said:
all standard boating safety gear,

this you will need to buy them.

My suggestion, buy nothing until you have been "on the boat" for at the least 30 days. It is common for a new boat owner to run out and open a charge account at West Marine or any of the other boat stuff stores. Don't do it! There is plenty of time to consider what you need from what you think you want.

Spending money on the "Wants" will quickly drain the boat budget.

Even if you cannot take the boat out on the water, go down and sit in it. Raise and lower the sails even if there is no wind. Get familiar with the boats feel and how you move about on it. Before you know it you will be sailing and after a little experience sailing you will be able to distinguish between what you need and what you think you want.
This will make your boat budget happy.

kloudie1 · Sep 17, 2018

Welcome to yall! she is a nice looking boat!
a gps chartplotter is a good addition.. I never thought I needed a depth sounder on my swing keel boat 'cause it gives ya a warning when the water is too shallow.. maybe if ya intend to find fishes ? Inflatable life vests are really nice since they are comfortable to wear and to work the deck in.. some paper charts for reference are good? Bug screens for the hatches if ya plan to sleep aboard, an autopilot is a great addition.. along with enough battery to drive it and a way to recharge if ya plan to be away from shore power for any time..
Again, Welcome aboard

rgranger · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts said:
View attachment 156395

That is a nice looking boat. I have a depth sounder on my Hunter 26 but only because it came with one. They are nice but not essential on a swing keel boat. If you kiss the bottom, just roll up the keel and move on.

Chart plotter is nice but consider a hand held version. I've sailed all up and down the NC coast with a hand held and it was more than I needed. On a 22 you really don't have a good place in the cockpit for a permanent mount GPS.

Anchor and rode come to mind for things to put in the "need" category. I also see that you have a hanked on genoa. I personally love hanked on head sails but most people disagree with me on this one. I think they sail better and for the money spent on a roller furler, you can buy a mid-sized jib and a storm jib. Having three different sized head-sails will let you really get the most out of your boat. Keeping the boat balanced in different wind conditions will let you keep the boat moving forward when the wind pipes up. And moving forward is fun and comfortable as opposed to bobbing up and down and bashing into the troughs.

Do you have a set (or two) of reef points in the main? If not, sending your main out to a loft and having them added might be a nice addition. On Erie you will encounter some heavier breezes so the ability to reef is essential.

Last, consider adding a down haul system for your genoa. It will only cost you $50 and will make dousing the genoa from the cockpit safe, quick and easy.

Did I say how pretty that boat looks?

dlochner · Sep 17, 2018

Congratulations on make the switch to the light side!

I'm going to disagree with @jssailem, go to the SBO store and buy one of everything.

@phillherring will appreciate it.

Seriously, when I have bought a new to me boat, I have a priority list for purchases. At the top of the list are items that are essential to the well being of the boat and making the boat "legal." Items on this list might include required USCG safety gear, dock lines, fenders, halyards, sheets, hoses (although you probably have very few on the the 22). Some of this gear will no doubt be on the boat and some of it will/should be replaced. The first boat I boat back in 1984 is now in my marina. It is on the 4th owner and they are still using the same dock lines I used 30 years ago, I recognized the leather chafe gear I sewed on the lines. Old lines break, broken dock lines lead to drifting boats and damage to the boat and other boats.

Next up are personal safety gear, life jackets, foul weather gear, shoes with nonslip soles and so forth.

Then secondary safety gear, things like a handheld VHF (floating and waterproof) and a Life Sling.

Finally are system up grades, although on a Catalina 22 there aren't many systems to upgrade.

With all that said, be sure to buy a couple of things to make the boat your own. Pillows, dishes and (Lexan)glassware, whatever suits your fancy.

There are more marine retailers than West Marine (previously known as worst marine, but they have been trying to be better over the past year). Sign up for their news letters and ads. West has taken to offering one day sales on items often at a deep discount. Places to look at: Defender.com (sign up for their weekly special), Hamilton Marine, Fisheries Supply, Annapolis Performance Sailing, and Jamestown Distributors. There are patterns to the sales and specials. Look for big sales during the Spring and Fall boat show season, Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) has a big sale on line in January, Defender has the best deals during its warehouse sale on the last weekend in March.

In the meantime enjoy and dream, unfortunately it may end up being a long winter staring at marine retailer websites.

Ron20324 · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts said:
View attachment 156395
My wife and I...recently jumped ship and bought a sailboat...

Another one gone from power to sail, or sail to power. "Trans-vessel-ites" they're called.

Jacktar · Sep 17, 2018

Log onto the Catalina 22 forum threads, lots of info there and it will be cat 22 specific.

Joe · Sep 17, 2018

First of all, wait a bit for the big stuff.... sails, fixed mount chartplotter, tiller pilot until you feel comfortable in the boat as it is... so... that means taking sailing lessons. Do That Now.

A hand held vhf radio and a handheld gps/map are a must... make sure your ground tackle is in good order. Understand how the MSD (toilet) works and service it if needed. Get some foul weather gear... or at least a rain jacket. Binoculars. All the CG required stuff of course. (Inflatable PFD's are the standard now) Did I mention raincoats.

Rigging a jib downhaul is a good idea... pretty simple to do and will save going to the bow to drop the headsail. Check the archives for details, or PM me. Also.... know how to reef the mainsail.

Inventory the boat.... inspect the centerboard mechanism... take a close look at the sails. put together a small repair kit(google works). Service your outboard! Check your running lights. Service your winches. Inspect your running and standing rigging. If you find meathooks on the wire... tape them off and plan to replace.
.

DAVA390 · Sep 17, 2018

dlochner said:
Congratulations on make the switch to the light side!

I'm going to disagree with @jssailem, go to the SBO store and buy one of everything. @phillherring will appreciate it.

Seriously, when I have bought a new to me boat, I have a priority list for purchases. At the top of the list are items that are essential to the well being of the boat and making the boat "legal." Items on this list might include required USCG safety gear, dock lines, fenders, halyards, sheets, hoses (although you probably have very few on the the 22). Some of this gear will no doubt be on the boat and some of it will/should be replaced. The first boat I boat back in 1984 is now in my marina. It is on the 4th owner and they are still using the same dock lines I used 30 years ago, I recognized the leather chafe gear I sewed on the lines. Old lines break, broken dock lines lead to drifting boats and damage to the boat and other boats.

Next up are personal safety gear, life jackets, foul weather gear, shoes with nonslip soles and so forth.

Then secondary safety gear, things like a handheld VHF (floating and waterproof) and a Life Sling.

Finally are system up grades, although on a Catalina 22 there aren't many systems to upgrade.

With all that said, be sure to buy a couple of things to make the boat your own. Pillows, dishes and (Lexan)glassware, whatever suits your fancy.

There are more marine retailers than West Marine (previously known as worst marine, but they have been trying to be better over the past year). Sign up for their news letters and ads. West has taken to offering one day sales on items often at a deep discount. Places to look at: Defender.com (sign up for their weekly special), Hamilton Marine, Fisheries Supply, Annapolis Performance Sailing, and Jamestown Distributors. There are patterns to the sales and specials. Look for big sales during the Spring and Fall boat show season, Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) has a big sale on line in January, Defender has the best deals during its warehouse sale on the last weekend in March.

In the meantime enjoy and dream, unfortunately it may end up being a long winter staring at marine retailer websites.

We need to plug the SBO store also.

jssailem · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts said:
don't know how to judge the sails

That will come to you pretty quickly... You'll look at the sails and they will either look clean fit and trim

or they will look like an old sad bag of used britches.

The clean fit and trim is a bonus.

If still in doubt, listen to what other boaters say when they see your boat...

"Wow those sails look nice!"
"man that boat really looks nice but he really could use a new suit of sails"

Put the sails up and take a picture. The group of sailors here would be glad to share thoughts.

Or you can ask a sail loft (a local place near you that makes new sails) to come out and give you an opinion...

Me, I'd put up what ever you got. If they look like the breeze is going to blow right through them and rip the cloth to shreds you know that new sails are in your future.

I am hoping for you that they are OK and will give you several years of pleasure before you have to consider new sails.

LeeandRick · Sep 17, 2018

Welcome to the forum dc volts.
First inspect the standing rigging and everything it's attached too. It may be original and that has to be an early '70s boat. Best safety money you will spend.

DAVA390 · Sep 17, 2018

Your gonna have to adjust to the fact that if you are meeting friends for lunch,you have to start out at breakfast.

rgranger · Sep 17, 2018

Ron20324 said:
Another one gone from power to sail, or sail to power. "Trans-vessel-ites" they're called.

Oh man... my wife wants me to get her a pontoon boat. I'm saving this one for the next time she brings it up.

rgranger · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts said:
...but that was because I couldn't afford the 8 to 10 gallons per hour of fuel it was going to cost for me to cruise around. ....

I've gone entire seasons and still had half of my 10-gallon tank.

JimInPB · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts said:
... Just wondering if there is some equipment that would be a recommended before we set sail. ...

Seat cushions.

Will Gilmore · Sep 17, 2018

dc volts, welcome to the exclusive, best of the best, all inclusive, everything you ever wanted and more, sailboatowners forum. You have come to the right place. These people are not only friendly and eager to assist you, but they are filled with decades, neigh, centuries of experience and expertise. all they will ever ask in return is a few pictures and stories to assure them you are using their advice for good (sailing).
There are a number of things I would recommend, but the only thing I think you would benefit greatly from that hasn't already been suggested is a good trailer. The C22 is very trailerable and there are great advantages, in convenience and finance, to being able to haul your boat yourself and store her just about anywhere, not to mention the ability to reach sailing grounds that might otherwise be unreachable.
Welcome to SBO.

-Will (Dragonfly)

shemandr · Sep 17, 2018

It's a nice looking Catalina 22. Don't spend a lot on it until you understand how you'll use it. Then improve as needed for your use. But seat cushions are good because fiberglass butt hurts. The big difference between a power boat and your sailboat is the experience of the voyage. Under sail the the voyage is an end unto itself. It usually offers challenges and rewards beyond what a power boat trip does. But not to wax too eloquent, a lot of cruisers motor a lot. Still the trip is the goal. Spending an afternoon watching Montauk Lighthouse slide down the port side of my Ranger 29 was one of my favorite memories sailing. The pace at which that happened was of no concern to me.

Benny17441 · Sep 17, 2018

kloudie1 said:
Welcome to yall! she is a nice looking boat!
a gps chartplotter is a good addition.. I never thought I needed a depth sounder on my swing keel boat 'cause it gives ya a warning when the water is too shallow.. maybe if ya intend to find fishes ?

Kloudie,I do agree with you in a sense because we do not have a depth sounder in our trailerable Starwind 223, but a depth sounder is a useful navigation instrument. It provides a point of reference to help verify that your location is correct as determined by a chart plotter or dead reckoning plotting. It becomes very useful when you are blinded by fog and have to trust your instruments. If your position on the chart says the depth should be 40 ft and your depth sounder says you are in 15 ft then your location is not likely where you think you are. We run a chartplotter on the h320 and I find myself frequently comparing the depth indicated on the chart to that provided by the depth sounder. On many occasions I wish I had one in the Starwind but have not gotten around to installing one.

New to Sailing

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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