SVEclipse

Jun 14, 2024
6
Catalina 22 Memphis
Hi all!

I have been following and gleaning lots of info from your posts here and enjoyed your Youtube adventures as well. I acquired this 1987 swing-keel Catalina 22 last year on the day of the Eclipse 2024... I drove quite distance to see it, instantly knew is was a good-un and sealed the deal, cash, and parted with it hooked up to my Tahoe about 35 minutes before the actual eclipse. 5 minutes down the road I noticed the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum where there were thousands of people sat out on deckchairs awaiting the big event ... I had no idea that I had just driven, on the day of the eclipse, to the main center of the eclipse (smack bang center of the track and longest viewing time) and bought a boat from a lovely family (that had bought it new in 1987) .. from the small town where Neil Armstrong was born - Wapakoneta, Ohio. Hence the boat name is now Eclipse... currently used on Kentucky Lake.

I have sailed extensively over the years and lived aboard a 33ft, pretty light racer/cruiser sailboat in Europe from England as far as Portugal. English Channel was my most hairiest in a force 7 that had only been forecasted as a force 4 while I was sailing between a port in Holland to Calais. The weather was so bad that the entrance to Calais was inaccessible even by Car Ferries that I could see the lights of in the dark that had anchored out in the deeper areas of the channel awaiting weather clearance, I ended up holding in place against the waves and weather outside Calais for about 7 hours until it was safe enough to get in. The English channel has a lot of banks and shallow areas (less than 4ft) resulting in troughs and wave heights of 12ft+. Coastal France and the Bay of Biscay not a problem, if offshore, head for the deep in any heavy weather if stuck far out. I am sure you have all heard of the saying 'any port in a storm'.. works when a young soldier on leave in a bar at midnight... but not applicable when sailing, FYI. Big waves break and shipwrecks mainly occur in the shallows... while out at sea they are just big swell.

I've read plenty here about the sailing capabilities of the Catalina 22. It's a very light boat, but, with the right experience, I am sure this can handle surprisingly more that most will ever need. Swing-keel worries can be put at rest with good maintenance and use of the locking pin/screw. The rigging is plenty for it's size, shorten sail and reduce power before you need to is always the best course of action. Plenty of storage to add 'stuff' and weight to down below. Fine and dandy for a couple. I've added most upgrades needed for handling, downhaul, lazyjack etc and comfort items including cockpit cushions, bimini, zerobreeze mk2 A/C and a small portable generator when needed. This Catalina in in exceptional condition, the keel is is very good shape, a couple of rust spots quickly sorted with wire brush and rust-oleum spray paint, done, hanger bolts changed just to investigate .. no problems. Have intentionally had it out in heavy rain just to check for top-side leaks, have tightened every screw by hand and added a bit of sealant anywhere on the top side of fittings that even looked like they may have potential for water ingress. Quick release on the forestay and quick release pins added where needed. Also added a solar panel that sits nicely on the bimini while sailing, stick on deck mat where needed .. cockpit, by mast and in front of anchor locker to save the knees while deploying. Might add some more of the stick on mat inside under cushion areas to help with comfort. Came with a 1987 two-stroke Mariner 4hp in great condition but have just bought a new Mercury 4hp 4-stroke. The only thing left on my list (at the moment) is a smaller Jib .. recommendations welcome.

I have enjoyed watching Gene Neill and wife's adventures down the Florida Coast... definitely on my list and would like to hear more about the Florida Keys area, anchorages, where to pull in/tie up for the night/anchor/dinghy docks etc for a cheap shower/resupply ... for a couple of weeks type cruise around. As for salt-water and swing-keel.. I would just wash that all off with a vinegar mix outside and inside (keel winch area) as soon as pulled out. Also, with the swing keel, I push plenty of marine grease up inside the keel hanger/pin area in an attempt to lube/seal that pin area just to ward off rust and wear. I've not removed the keel hanger/pin to check, but I am confident that it is all fine and still to spec. I will probably replace winch cable end of this year, then drop the keel in another year or two just to check. I also notice that this keel (1987) already has spacers fitted.. I am assuming that earlier models are the ones that folks have been adding spacers to.

Lake sailing... plenty of chop with the wrong wind pattern, hence I would like a smaller jib, I am confident that the boat will handle most weather, within reason, on a lake. I would have no concerns with the boat itself sailing offshore in known stable weather, in the right season. Big plans ahead, time will dictate whether I get to all of them on this boat or not. I would do a Bimini trip with the right weather/season window, and plenty of time to await the return leg, just to prove it... minus the wife.
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Sep 17, 2022
118
Catalina 22 Oolagah
She’s a pretty boat, for sure. Congratulations. FWIW, I did get caught in a blow on Kentucky Lake about 30 years ago and it was a hoot. It would have been a piece of cake on my C-22 but, on that trip we had rented a pontoon boat. lol.

Back to SVEclipse, she looks well cared for. I like the fact that you have both a boom kicker and a boom vang. That tells me that the PO was probably a real sailor and took care of your new baby. Do you have providence on the age of the rigging? At the very least, I would suggest that you first check the caulking on both your upper and lower shrouds. This is a known weakpoint on the New Design and has caused some New Design boats to leak. The leak usually occurs on the upper shroud since it is not screwed onto the deck but “floats” in a screwed in capture plate whereas, the lower shrouds are physically screwed into the deck. On my 1988 New Design, I found silicone sealant which I removed and replaced with Butyl Tape. I did the same on the lowers removing all the silicone and resealing using Butyl Tape but, the uppers are your first concern IMO.

Other thoughts are, to eventually replace the main coaming winches with Self Tailing winches. There’s no hurry on this. You should wait for West Marine’s BOGO sail in the Spring season. Once you make the swap, you will be glad you did. The New Design coaming is far too narrow for non self tailing winches. What you have now is perfectly workable but you’ll prefer the ST winches once you get them.

Last thought, as you examine and possibly replace your standing rigging, the New Design began to provide an adjustable backstay. SVEclipse may or may not have the brass plate installed on the port stern but that might also be a good addition as you prepare to sail her in brisk winds. You can pick up the Catalina Direct Project DVDs to see more of what the upgrades entail and what else might catch your fancy. I hope this helps .

George
 
Jun 14, 2024
6
Catalina 22 Memphis
Thanks George.

Yes, the backstay is on my list. The previous owner was self admittedly not a sailor and they had only pottered about on the lake with the outboard, I added the kicker and vang, downhaul etc. He had bought it for him and his 'boys' in 1987 and they had trailered it to a lake probably once or twice a year since 1987 and they had kept it indoors in a large clean working farm workshop. I estimate it had not seen water for at least 20 years, if not longer when I picked it up. Zero antifoul on it, ever. The owner was about 70 and the 'boys' are now about 45. The sails are the original numbered set and were in perfect condition/folded with original creases in the bags. Standing rigging all original and zero wear. Capture plate is checked and sealed along with all other deck fittings. Also has the original cooler/step that I use for dry goods and have a carry on cooler that I take for the cold stuff.

Yep, seeing the pontons in the chop loaded with folks that have changed their mind is a sight on Kentucky lake, lots of nice anchorages and bays to escape any weather to though, so perfect. You could spend weeks and months on that lake if you wanted to get away.

I'll get a picture of the swing-keel when I next put her in, that will tell the story.
 
Last edited:
Dec 5, 2011
555
Catalina Catalina 22 13632 Phenix City
Wow, what an awesome find in the C22 world: stored indoors and rarely sailed. Keep us posted on all your adventures!
 
  • Like
Likes: SVEclipse
Jul 12, 2023
5
Catalina 22 Kentucky Lake
That's a fine '87 for sure. I purchased an '86 three years ago from the 3rd owner in TX (fresh water only). Pretty nice but, I'm particular about my stuff so, I've spent a lot of time on the ascetics. I plan to be on Kentucky/Barkley Lake the second week of August (hopefully we will have some cooler weather around then). Attached are a few pics of my 1986 C-22. Note: all starboard has been replaced with original teak.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Likes: SVEclipse