Ocean Sailing?

[Bob Vasile]

I have just purchased a 1977 Catalina 22 with a new galvanized trailor. The boat is in great condition and I have it in my shop prepairing the bottom for a new coat of paint. I plan on painting the keel and the rudder as it has not been done for years and is showing some superficial wear. I have a marina that is about 20 miles from my house"Steel Creek Marina." I plan on putting the boat there in the spring for at least one season to get the feel of a larger boat. Kerr Lake is 35 miles long and would be a great place for a season. North Carolina has an extensive shoreline with lots of Islands and long sheltered- sound areas . I plan to sail at least in the sound areas. What would be the best kind of paint to use if I plan on doing some salt water sailing? Also ? Is the Catalina strong enough to do off shore sailing on moderate days? Bob Vasile,Oxford N.C.

 

[fran and jason]

CATALINA 22

Bob, you bought a great boat. We sailed a 22 around Wilmington and Southport NC for several years. I don't know how far off shore you are thinking about, but we took ours 7-10 miles out all the time. We never went out if the winds were above 20knots. On thoses days we enjoyed sailing the mighty Cape Fear! We did many trips down the ICW also. As far as paint, we kept our boat in the water year round and use Tinidad SR. Check at West Marine for paints that are to be used on trailered boats. Fair winds!!

 

[Kurt]

Paint

HI there, I just finished re-doing the bottom yesterday on our 22. I am going to be sailing it for 3 straight weeks cruising up the inland BC coast to explore Desolation Sound. I work on boats and find Interlux Micron CSC to be the best choice for a trailerable. Make sure to lightly disk sand the bottom with 80 grit. REad the literature on it and you'll agree. It is specifically for trailerable boats like ours. Also, we have been in some severe storms in the Islands with our boat and have found all is well as long as you keep to a minimum heal and sails powered up a tad. No pinching. It is not built for bluewater punishment that's for sure but can be nursed through some bad stuff. Don't push it to hard is how I look at it. I will be in some dangerous areas while heading north next week and will be conservative towards how I push it.