I bought the Oday 222 last year when I lived in northern Illinois and learned to sail it on Lake Delevan, WI. I just moved to Boca Raton, FL and don't know if I should keep the boat. Can I sail a boat that size in the ocean? Will I have to stick to the intercoastal? Obviously I'd need a lot more experience before trying, but I'd be interested in anyone's ideas regarding this. Thanks.
Sail a 22 footer in the ocean?
- Thread starter curt the newbie
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it's all about the weather
I don't want to discount your boat but I'd be afraid to do much that didn't have an escape plan. People go around the world in smaller boats, but not me. Sure it'll float like any other boat till there's a problem and I'm no expert but I know on the ocean, 5 minutes from now that sunny day can become horrifying. If you can sell her, do it, and pick up something a little more stout when you get there. On the good side boats in FL are usually cheaper.
I don't want to discount your boat but I'd be afraid to do much that didn't have an escape plan. People go around the world in smaller boats, but not me. Sure it'll float like any other boat till there's a problem and I'm no expert but I know on the ocean, 5 minutes from now that sunny day can become horrifying. If you can sell her, do it, and pick up something a little more stout when you get there. On the good side boats in FL are usually cheaper.
Boy, are you going to get replies to this question
I'm sure that you are going to hear about people making transoceanic passage in row boats and others are going to have various prejudices about what qualifies to be on the "ocean". One thing to keep in mind is that regardless of your boat's size and/or preparation, it is a mighty small "bobber" out there in relationship to the ocean. You have a 22 footer and I'm sure that some are going to relate that nothing less than a 38 or a 44 or a 60 footer should be considered. So add the additional feet and then compare that to the vastness of the ocean. You are still a very small bobber on the water. That being said, I dragged my Mac 22 from Dallas to Destin just to go out on the Gulf. The conditions that week and the stories I heard about the "Pass" scared me and I stayed in the bay instead. About a year later I went back down and took my "new" 26S. I finally ventured out (singlehanding) and found that I loved it. I spent about a year in the area and made my way into the Gulf everytime I could. Saw lots of different types of weather and conditions through the four seasons, but your first respondant got it right. Just make sure that you and your boat are ready and learn incrementally. I miss the Gulf sooooo much. I was a mighty small bobber out there too, but It was LARGE PLEASURE riding the waves and enjoying the 20-30+ mph winds. Be careful, but enjoy!!!
I'm sure that you are going to hear about people making transoceanic passage in row boats and others are going to have various prejudices about what qualifies to be on the "ocean". One thing to keep in mind is that regardless of your boat's size and/or preparation, it is a mighty small "bobber" out there in relationship to the ocean. You have a 22 footer and I'm sure that some are going to relate that nothing less than a 38 or a 44 or a 60 footer should be considered. So add the additional feet and then compare that to the vastness of the ocean. You are still a very small bobber on the water. That being said, I dragged my Mac 22 from Dallas to Destin just to go out on the Gulf. The conditions that week and the stories I heard about the "Pass" scared me and I stayed in the bay instead. About a year later I went back down and took my "new" 26S. I finally ventured out (singlehanding) and found that I loved it. I spent about a year in the area and made my way into the Gulf everytime I could. Saw lots of different types of weather and conditions through the four seasons, but your first respondant got it right. Just make sure that you and your boat are ready and learn incrementally. I miss the Gulf sooooo much. I was a mighty small bobber out there too, but It was LARGE PLEASURE riding the waves and enjoying the 20-30+ mph winds. Be careful, but enjoy!!!
Keep her
Keep her and sail her, just do so in reasonable conditions. Our first boat was a 23 we sailed in the back bays of NJ. Every now and then we'd take her out to the ocean for a day sail. We'd just make sure we had good weather to do so. No reason you can't sail her on the ocean conditions permitting. Good luck!
Keep her and sail her, just do so in reasonable conditions. Our first boat was a 23 we sailed in the back bays of NJ. Every now and then we'd take her out to the ocean for a day sail. We'd just make sure we had good weather to do so. No reason you can't sail her on the ocean conditions permitting. Good luck!
Boat Review by Owners
There are 16 reviews on this boat and 1 owner sailed open ocean and one in Lake Michigan. The others used the boat in lakes and bays. How other owners use the boat should give you an Ideal of the boat's ability.
There are 16 reviews on this boat and 1 owner sailed open ocean and one in Lake Michigan. The others used the boat in lakes and bays. How other owners use the boat should give you an Ideal of the boat's ability.
Be very careful for weather
The boat is not build for rough weather. For instance, high waves can swamp out the engine. It is not protected from large waves. The problem is not the size, but how the boat was designed. The O'Day 22 was designed for protected waters.
The boat is not build for rough weather. For instance, high waves can swamp out the engine. It is not protected from large waves. The problem is not the size, but how the boat was designed. The O'Day 22 was designed for protected waters.
As everyone else has said, "Not all 22 foot
boats are created equal." The Bingham "Flicka" is in the 22 foot class but is full keel and 2-3 tons. It is a well proven passage maker. Sometimes the ocean is like a mill pond but at other times people that don't have to go out stay on shore. I wouldn't go out for more than a few hours with a good forecast. You could get becalmed five miles off shore and then have a front come through that completely over whelms you.
boats are created equal." The Bingham "Flicka" is in the 22 foot class but is full keel and 2-3 tons. It is a well proven passage maker. Sometimes the ocean is like a mill pond but at other times people that don't have to go out stay on shore. I wouldn't go out for more than a few hours with a good forecast. You could get becalmed five miles off shore and then have a front come through that completely over whelms you.
Small Boats Outside of the Harbor
As others have said - the weather forecast is important. I am from California, when I lived there all of my boats were under 20 feet. I often left the harbor and sailed much of the day 'outside' - and over to Catalina, round Anacapa and so on. Southern California in summer is pretty benign most of the time, but still, like everywhere, it is a good idea to watch the forecasts. Ross, a front should show up on a forecast - if it is coming, don't go out. In Fl, thunderstorms are probably more of a risk as they can build up locally. Again, forecasts are the best defense, as is choosing the best time of day to go out, mornings work well here in Colorado to miss the thunderstorms. Being 5 miles off shore in a dead calm is not likely to be much of a problem by itself - a 22' boat should have a motor. Oars and an inflatable boat are not bad ideas. Curt needs to learn the local weather, and about the gulf stream and weather effects upon it, then pick his times to go sailing. With a good conservative weather eye and good local knowledge, the boat will do fine. I'd stay well away from small craft warnings, and any forecast risk of squalls or thunderstorms. Know the local area and where to duck back inside - carry a good anchor so you can anchor when back inside the ICW if still a ways from home and you have to ride it out for a while. Do people who sail bigger boats think that every race run by J22/24's, Santana 20's and U20's, Catalina/Capri 22's an so on is done in a harbor? OC
As others have said - the weather forecast is important. I am from California, when I lived there all of my boats were under 20 feet. I often left the harbor and sailed much of the day 'outside' - and over to Catalina, round Anacapa and so on. Southern California in summer is pretty benign most of the time, but still, like everywhere, it is a good idea to watch the forecasts. Ross, a front should show up on a forecast - if it is coming, don't go out. In Fl, thunderstorms are probably more of a risk as they can build up locally. Again, forecasts are the best defense, as is choosing the best time of day to go out, mornings work well here in Colorado to miss the thunderstorms. Being 5 miles off shore in a dead calm is not likely to be much of a problem by itself - a 22' boat should have a motor. Oars and an inflatable boat are not bad ideas. Curt needs to learn the local weather, and about the gulf stream and weather effects upon it, then pick his times to go sailing. With a good conservative weather eye and good local knowledge, the boat will do fine. I'd stay well away from small craft warnings, and any forecast risk of squalls or thunderstorms. Know the local area and where to duck back inside - carry a good anchor so you can anchor when back inside the ICW if still a ways from home and you have to ride it out for a while. Do people who sail bigger boats think that every race run by J22/24's, Santana 20's and U20's, Catalina/Capri 22's an so on is done in a harbor? OC
22 footers
Sail your boat, enjoy it and be careful. Check weather very carefully. I once, when I was a whole lot younger, and a whole lot dumber, single handed a Chrysler 22, swing keel boat, from Corpus to Isla Mujeras, up and down the Yucatan coast, and back to Corpus. No electronics at all. Couple of charts and a compass. Would I do it again, not no but hell no. Did I enjoy the trip. I loved it, just thought of it as a big adventure. Point is you can do just about anything if you have a little skill, and a lot of luck. Do I advocate a 600 mile offshore trip in a 22. Nope. But if you sail this boat, you will learn a lot. Probably more than you would on a bigger boat. You will also find out how much more boat, if any, you want in the future.
Sail your boat, enjoy it and be careful. Check weather very carefully. I once, when I was a whole lot younger, and a whole lot dumber, single handed a Chrysler 22, swing keel boat, from Corpus to Isla Mujeras, up and down the Yucatan coast, and back to Corpus. No electronics at all. Couple of charts and a compass. Would I do it again, not no but hell no. Did I enjoy the trip. I loved it, just thought of it as a big adventure. Point is you can do just about anything if you have a little skill, and a lot of luck. Do I advocate a 600 mile offshore trip in a 22. Nope. But if you sail this boat, you will learn a lot. Probably more than you would on a bigger boat. You will also find out how much more boat, if any, you want in the future.
no problem....
... once you start sailing in the ocean you'll dig it. The wind is usually more consistant than you'll find in the intercoastal. I'm assuming you're not talking about passage making, but just sailing up and down the coast. Talk to the locals to find the best sailing in your area.
... once you start sailing in the ocean you'll dig it. The wind is usually more consistant than you'll find in the intercoastal. I'm assuming you're not talking about passage making, but just sailing up and down the coast. Talk to the locals to find the best sailing in your area.
Too much wind not becalmed
Ross his problem will be too much wind, not getting becalmed. About the only time you don't have wind off a coast is when the daily shift occurs taking it from a land to a sea breeze. Even then it's only a very short period of time before it starts to blow again. Under normal conditions the only difference he might see between protected waters and the ocean will be rollers. Unless the wind is cranking they're usually only a couple of feet and well spaced. As long as he's keeping himself to day sails along the coast, in decent weather conditions he'll have the time of his life. Mike
Ross his problem will be too much wind, not getting becalmed. About the only time you don't have wind off a coast is when the daily shift occurs taking it from a land to a sea breeze. Even then it's only a very short period of time before it starts to blow again. Under normal conditions the only difference he might see between protected waters and the ocean will be rollers. Unless the wind is cranking they're usually only a couple of feet and well spaced. As long as he's keeping himself to day sails along the coast, in decent weather conditions he'll have the time of his life. Mike
Mike , I think that was what I said .
He could get out there and have the wind die before a front comes down on him. Remember on Thanksgiving Day this year the morning was "flags hanging limp" and in the afternoon it whipped up to 30-40 and blew all of the leaves off in a couple of hours.
He could get out there and have the wind die before a front comes down on him. Remember on Thanksgiving Day this year the morning was "flags hanging limp" and in the afternoon it whipped up to 30-40 and blew all of the leaves off in a couple of hours.
Shouldn't be an issue
Ross he shouldn't have any problems with that. If he checks the weather report and watches the sky he'll be fine. Getting becalmed and trapped in bad weather may be an issue in some parts of the ocean but I doubt it's anything that he'll need to worry about along the coast. We ran off the NJ coast for 5 years and never had a problem. You can generally see weather systems coming well before they hit. It gives you more than enough time to run for cover as long as you're just out day sailing. Mike
Ross he shouldn't have any problems with that. If he checks the weather report and watches the sky he'll be fine. Getting becalmed and trapped in bad weather may be an issue in some parts of the ocean but I doubt it's anything that he'll need to worry about along the coast. We ran off the NJ coast for 5 years and never had a problem. You can generally see weather systems coming well before they hit. It gives you more than enough time to run for cover as long as you're just out day sailing. Mike
Used to Sail Laser and Sunfish inopen ocean
The Laser and sunfish were launched off of the beach and getting in and out through the surf was the problem. I confess that a couple of time I got into trouble. Once in the sunfish the wind was supposed to drop. So I went out through the surf and it was rough but doable but the wind didn't read the forcast and after an hour or so I was ready for the beach. But now the breaking waves were larger and I pitchpole and bent my mast in the surf. Later I learned to jump in the water and let the boat drag me through the surf zone (TROLLING FOR SHARKS??) I got into trouble with the Laser when the wind was blowing off the beach and the surf was flat but the farther from shore the bigger the waves. I would get up on a plane and then bury the bow into the back of the wave and pitchpole. Of course I didn't do this on every wave but often enough to get verry cold. My board boats had the big advantage that they could go on and off of the beach. If you get outside an inlet in a 22' boat and can't run the inlet you are in a bad situation. A light swing keel 22' sailboat will surf easily and if the rudder is overpowered you will probaly broach and then roll. Stay on the inside until you get to know the weather and sea !!!
The Laser and sunfish were launched off of the beach and getting in and out through the surf was the problem. I confess that a couple of time I got into trouble. Once in the sunfish the wind was supposed to drop. So I went out through the surf and it was rough but doable but the wind didn't read the forcast and after an hour or so I was ready for the beach. But now the breaking waves were larger and I pitchpole and bent my mast in the surf. Later I learned to jump in the water and let the boat drag me through the surf zone (TROLLING FOR SHARKS??) I got into trouble with the Laser when the wind was blowing off the beach and the surf was flat but the farther from shore the bigger the waves. I would get up on a plane and then bury the bow into the back of the wave and pitchpole. Of course I didn't do this on every wave but often enough to get verry cold. My board boats had the big advantage that they could go on and off of the beach. If you get outside an inlet in a 22' boat and can't run the inlet you are in a bad situation. A light swing keel 22' sailboat will surf easily and if the rudder is overpowered you will probaly broach and then roll. Stay on the inside until you get to know the weather and sea !!!
outboard prop
In addition to the weather and wave concerns, I'd consider the adequacy of a short outboard prop if the inlet is particularly choppy. I've never sailed any boat in Florida to know your inlet, but my experience just trying to navigate the channel to the inlet in my Hunter 23 was enough not to do it twice. The inlet waves and huge wakes from motorboaters competing to get out brought the prop out a few times, which made for more than a few disconcerting moments without much control. My intention was never to go through the inlet - but only to take a motor ride to see what it would be like. And I found out. Next season, I think I'll feel a little more comfortable imy C-28 mk2.
In addition to the weather and wave concerns, I'd consider the adequacy of a short outboard prop if the inlet is particularly choppy. I've never sailed any boat in Florida to know your inlet, but my experience just trying to navigate the channel to the inlet in my Hunter 23 was enough not to do it twice. The inlet waves and huge wakes from motorboaters competing to get out brought the prop out a few times, which made for more than a few disconcerting moments without much control. My intention was never to go through the inlet - but only to take a motor ride to see what it would be like. And I found out. Next season, I think I'll feel a little more comfortable imy C-28 mk2.
I've sailed a C22 ...
... along the coast quite a few times. Like others said, watch the weather windows, and be sure you're not pushing your own experience curve too quickly. On the C22, handling her in 15-20 with following waves took some experience and practice. I equipped the C22 so that I could take a deep reef in the main, and had multiple headsails ending with a pretty small one. Like someone else noted, when the boat starts hobby horsing in the chop, the OB will come out of the water and cavitate. So you have to be able to sail rather than rely on the OB. On most OB's you can get a long shaft mod kit. Or, like someone else said, sell it and buy a bigger boat
Tom
... along the coast quite a few times. Like others said, watch the weather windows, and be sure you're not pushing your own experience curve too quickly. On the C22, handling her in 15-20 with following waves took some experience and practice. I equipped the C22 so that I could take a deep reef in the main, and had multiple headsails ending with a pretty small one. Like someone else noted, when the boat starts hobby horsing in the chop, the OB will come out of the water and cavitate. So you have to be able to sail rather than rely on the OB. On most OB's you can get a long shaft mod kit. Or, like someone else said, sell it and buy a bigger boat
TomOcean sailing
What you have here is a keel centerboard boat. Basically a trailer sailer not a passage maker. You can sail it in the ocean but I dont think its suitable for offshore. Just hang in close no more than a couple of miles offshore. A few years back a friend of mine had an Oday 20 keel/cb and we used to sail it from salem sound MA up to Gloucester and back about 10 km down the coast. We always kept a careful eye on the weather and we did ok, but we never sailed more than a couple of miles off shore. If you get caught out in blow reef your sails and head in. You can always start your outboard just dont get caught to far off shore.
What you have here is a keel centerboard boat. Basically a trailer sailer not a passage maker. You can sail it in the ocean but I dont think its suitable for offshore. Just hang in close no more than a couple of miles offshore. A few years back a friend of mine had an Oday 20 keel/cb and we used to sail it from salem sound MA up to Gloucester and back about 10 km down the coast. We always kept a careful eye on the weather and we did ok, but we never sailed more than a couple of miles off shore. If you get caught out in blow reef your sails and head in. You can always start your outboard just dont get caught to far off shore.
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