Rigging and mast stepping
I agree that the 22 is a good boat, particularly for new sailors and day sailing. It is well constructed, easy to sail, and very forgiving. In my opinion, the smallish cabin and scant headroom makes cruising of more than weekend impractical. The stub keel does let the boat be pushed to leeward in some conditions. The eye bolt should be a easy replacement it if is simply worn. If yout replace be sure to add plenty of good sided backing and washers on the nut side. A 22 can be easily set up for single handing. The best addition for single handing would be to lead the control lines to the cockpit and install a (Davis) tiller tamer. Installing a jib furler would GREATLY simplify any single handing. If you don't want to go for a furler I HIGHLY recommend adding a jib downhaul. This link shows a simple way to do it, and it really works! http://www.bosunsupplies.com/Downhaul.cfmStepping the mast and rigging the stays is not hard. With some practice it can be done fairly quickly. I can do this by myself on my 1978 O'22. My procedure is to slide the mast forward and rest it pulpit. Align the foot of the mast with the deck fitting and slide the front pin through the holes. At this point all the rigging is attached except for the backstay and the backstay turnbuckle should be loosened. Next I stand in the pulpit, lift the mast, and walk it forward until it is upright. Then I grab the backstay, and keeping some tension on it, walk it to the stern and attach it to the chainplate with a pin. (The shrouds will help keep the mast in place while you do this.) Then tighten the backstay turnbuckle and hang the boom. To de-rig, reverse the procedure. Taking the mast down solo the first time is a bit nerve-wracking but it is light enough that it can be easily controlled by supporting it with your arms and walking it forward on the deck. If all this makes you feel uncomfortable, there are plenty of folks who have mast-raising systems using a gin pole for leverage. I just have found that I don't have to rig often enough to bother making a system, and I can muscle it up just fine. Brad