Thinking about a Catalina 22 purchase

[Brian Rader]

Greetings all. I moved to Idaho some 4 years ago, and I am missing sailing greatly. I am thinking about perhaps purchasing a Catalina 22 for the lakes and reservoirs in the area here. I hope to do some racing in local regattas (there is a Catalina 22 class - I would like to buy/equip a boat to be cometitive), and overnight cruising/camping w/ my wife. Catalina seems like a great compromise boat. I am probably looking at a used - new seems too expensive. Any guidance or advice you would like to share regarding what to look for when purchasing - tips, sage advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated.Cheers!

 

[George]

Take a look at a Catalina Capri 22

You might want to take a look at the Catalina Capri 22 if you want to race. It comes with a racing package, or you can retrofit the guts of the racing package on one without it if you want, (ie - racing boom, adjustable backstay, etc.). To the extent that you want to cruise, they are now making a galley for the Capri 22 that will fit older Capri 22's. We expect to get one for our '85. I don't know about the eligibility for racing in the C-22 class since I don't race, but to the extent that the racing may be open to more than strictly C-22's, you can race. You will probably get different views on this forum as to the comparison of the speed of a Capri 22 versus a C-22, since some people continue to insist that they can get their C-22 to go as fast as a Capri 22. As far as I know though, Catalina does not offer a factory racing package on the C-22 while they do on the Capri-22, which Catalina sells in part as a sporty performance boat.Either boat is nice though. . . .

 

[Brad Alston]

Don't think...Do!

The C22 is a great compromise boat. I have had mine (a '72 swing keel) for about 6 years. It is a solid boat and provides good performance for weekend cruising and daysailing.With the swing keel it also trailers well to the local lakes (South of you in the Salt Lake area). If I were on the coast I would probably consider a fixed keel. The swing keel does have maintenance concerns.Don't expect it to be competitive with designed for racing 22 foot boats (Capri, J, and others).

 

[Barry Broyles]

Stick with the Catalina 22

Brian: I would stick with the Catalina 22 for two reasons: First the catalina cabin is larger and more comfortable than the capri. Second the capri can not race in the Catalina 22 class races, it is much lighter due to the smaller sparsely laid out cabin.Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"