I,m currently sailing a Sunfish and want get a used 22' to 24' cruiser with retractable keel so I can trailer easy. Looking for a boat that can be handled by myself and sails well in light to moderate winds. Any ideas for a well built boat to lookout for.
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I like the Hunter 23.5
I have one and it is very easy to single hand and steer with the sails. It needs only a longer tiller extension and a tiller lock that fits into the cockpit table mount to be the ideal single hander in that size range. many other boats in that size are harder to set up, slower in light winds, and offer much less room and comfort.
I have one and it is very easy to single hand and steer with the sails. It needs only a longer tiller extension and a tiller lock that fits into the cockpit table mount to be the ideal single hander in that size range. many other boats in that size are harder to set up, slower in light winds, and offer much less room and comfort.
A few suggestions
You could look at: Catalina 22 (older versions and Mk2) Precision 23 Capri 22 Regards, Ted
You could look at: Catalina 22 (older versions and Mk2) Precision 23 Capri 22 Regards, Ted
O'day 23
I am very happy with the O'Day 23. I modified it by adding a roller-furling 150 jib and running all control lines back to the cockpit, cleats on the cabin top. mel
I am very happy with the O'Day 23. I modified it by adding a roller-furling 150 jib and running all control lines back to the cockpit, cleats on the cabin top. mel
I had the same question...
I had the same question when I was looking. Fortunately, depending on your priorties, the choices narrow considerably. If you want the head to be behind a door and not in the middle of the cabin (as the Admiral had insisted upon), your only real choice is the Oday 23. I was unable to locate any other boat in that size range with that feature. If this is not a crucial factor for you, then the choice is between a swing keel type boat (where the ballast is in the moving centerboard or keel), or a keel/centerboard combo (where the ballast is integral to the boat, and the centerboard is relatively lightweight). The Catalina 22 is the prime example of the former. I really like the boat; a sweet sailor, and parts/advice/factory support are all available. The old pop-tops are great. Good resale value. I don't know much about Hunter, but if you like more contemporary styling, they seem to be popular. One other thing to consider: how much "cruising" will you really do? None of these boats is particularly comfortable for more than two full size people to sleep in for more than a weekend. Also, in order to fit the cabin accomodations within the small footprint, the cockpits tend to be smaller. If you are really only going to be daysailing, I would consider searching out boats that have bigger cockpits with less emphasis on berths and galleys (like the Rhodes 19, or Oday Daysailer or Tempest). For myself, I thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that I would be doing mostly daysailing, with the very occasional overnighter. I bought an Oday 23 because of the separate head (I can't stress enough how important that is to my wife), the keel/centerboard arrangement, and the relatively big cockpit. Good luck.
I had the same question when I was looking. Fortunately, depending on your priorties, the choices narrow considerably. If you want the head to be behind a door and not in the middle of the cabin (as the Admiral had insisted upon), your only real choice is the Oday 23. I was unable to locate any other boat in that size range with that feature. If this is not a crucial factor for you, then the choice is between a swing keel type boat (where the ballast is in the moving centerboard or keel), or a keel/centerboard combo (where the ballast is integral to the boat, and the centerboard is relatively lightweight). The Catalina 22 is the prime example of the former. I really like the boat; a sweet sailor, and parts/advice/factory support are all available. The old pop-tops are great. Good resale value. I don't know much about Hunter, but if you like more contemporary styling, they seem to be popular. One other thing to consider: how much "cruising" will you really do? None of these boats is particularly comfortable for more than two full size people to sleep in for more than a weekend. Also, in order to fit the cabin accomodations within the small footprint, the cockpits tend to be smaller. If you are really only going to be daysailing, I would consider searching out boats that have bigger cockpits with less emphasis on berths and galleys (like the Rhodes 19, or Oday Daysailer or Tempest). For myself, I thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that I would be doing mostly daysailing, with the very occasional overnighter. I bought an Oday 23 because of the separate head (I can't stress enough how important that is to my wife), the keel/centerboard arrangement, and the relatively big cockpit. Good luck.
ODAY 23
The only one to go with is the Oday 23. Sails great, a big boat feel, very fast, enclosed head and ages very well. I had one for several years and now have a Catalina 27. It's great, but sometimes I miss the simplicity of single handed sailing with the Oday. Good luck.
The only one to go with is the Oday 23. Sails great, a big boat feel, very fast, enclosed head and ages very well. I had one for several years and now have a Catalina 27. It's great, but sometimes I miss the simplicity of single handed sailing with the Oday. Good luck.
Seaward 24
Take a look at Seawards for stout const. and comfort for the Admiral. Don't know how they sail but they trailer easily
Take a look at Seawards for stout const. and comfort for the Admiral. Don't know how they sail but they trailer easily
Catalina 22
Ed, We started out sailing a 95 Hunter 26 water ballast boat and loved it. It has the largest interior space of any boat we/ve ever seen below 26' in length. She sailed very nicely and towed like a dream. We sold her and then spent a couple of years cruising on our 38 footer. Now that we are back I have purchased a 1980 Catalina 22 with the retractable center board and pop top. This boat is so much fun that it should be immoral. It is very fast, has a huge cockpit and single hands better than any other boat its size. The center board weighs about 560# so you don't have the wear of a 1200#cb, parts are common everywhere and they have built over 15,000 so they are everywhere. Ours has hanked on head sails rather than roller furled and at first I wondered about this but very quickly became a convert to this style. Because there are so many sail sizes available for this boat I sometimes will change 3 or more times a day to match the wind changes. These boats can be bought with a trailer for $4,000 to $8,000 for a very nice model with all options. I recently helped my brother-in-law buy a 1984 San Juan 23 and these are also nice but I like my cockpit much better. Good luck and jump in, we'll be looking for you. Ray
Ed, We started out sailing a 95 Hunter 26 water ballast boat and loved it. It has the largest interior space of any boat we/ve ever seen below 26' in length. She sailed very nicely and towed like a dream. We sold her and then spent a couple of years cruising on our 38 footer. Now that we are back I have purchased a 1980 Catalina 22 with the retractable center board and pop top. This boat is so much fun that it should be immoral. It is very fast, has a huge cockpit and single hands better than any other boat its size. The center board weighs about 560# so you don't have the wear of a 1200#cb, parts are common everywhere and they have built over 15,000 so they are everywhere. Ours has hanked on head sails rather than roller furled and at first I wondered about this but very quickly became a convert to this style. Because there are so many sail sizes available for this boat I sometimes will change 3 or more times a day to match the wind changes. These boats can be bought with a trailer for $4,000 to $8,000 for a very nice model with all options. I recently helped my brother-in-law buy a 1984 San Juan 23 and these are also nice but I like my cockpit much better. Good luck and jump in, we'll be looking for you. Ray
keels
I wish you good luck getting any of the boats on that list back on the trailer. If you are going to keep the boat on a trailer and put it in only when you go sailing I strongly urge you to find a boat that has a keel that comes all the way up into the hall. If you plan on keeping the boat in the water and only putting it in and out from time to time then a boat of deeper draft is less of a pain.
I wish you good luck getting any of the boats on that list back on the trailer. If you are going to keep the boat on a trailer and put it in only when you go sailing I strongly urge you to find a boat that has a keel that comes all the way up into the hall. If you plan on keeping the boat in the water and only putting it in and out from time to time then a boat of deeper draft is less of a pain.
Seaward
I have a Catalina 22 and love it but the other day I saw a Seaward 25 get pulled out of the lake. It is a beautiful boat and the darn thing went right onto the trailer with no trailer extension or anything! They cost more than a lot of other boats but this 25' was floating in less that 2 feet of water!!
I have a Catalina 22 and love it but the other day I saw a Seaward 25 get pulled out of the lake. It is a beautiful boat and the darn thing went right onto the trailer with no trailer extension or anything! They cost more than a lot of other boats but this 25' was floating in less that 2 feet of water!!
SC 22
Have you looked at the south coast 22? Its about 1800# 500# of it in the keel that comes all the way up into the hall. Boat floats in 12" of water. My wife and I where down on lake clinton ILL and saw one on the water, real pretty boat. NO extinsion required to put in or out. I would realy think it over very hard and then go with a boat that has a keel that comes all the way up into the hall. Anything else is a real pain to get back on the trailer. The ramp must be level and steep and real deep. I don't care how long your extinsion is the ramp only goes in so far. If you put in past the end of the ramp you may need a pull to get just your trailer out. I have seen this happen. check out the South coast 22 San Juan 21 I think Chrysler made a 22 and their are others
Have you looked at the south coast 22? Its about 1800# 500# of it in the keel that comes all the way up into the hall. Boat floats in 12" of water. My wife and I where down on lake clinton ILL and saw one on the water, real pretty boat. NO extinsion required to put in or out. I would realy think it over very hard and then go with a boat that has a keel that comes all the way up into the hall. Anything else is a real pain to get back on the trailer. The ramp must be level and steep and real deep. I don't care how long your extinsion is the ramp only goes in so far. If you put in past the end of the ramp you may need a pull to get just your trailer out. I have seen this happen. check out the South coast 22 San Juan 21 I think Chrysler made a 22 and their are others
Hunter 22
I have just spent my first season with my Hunter 22. This boat has a lot of room for a 22 foot boat. Most of my friends can't believe the layout inside. I have been aboard this boat for 10 days with my wife and we never got too cramped (we do tend to over pack too). The Hunter 22 is very affordable and it is a very good boat for sailing in the wind conditions that you mentioned. I single handed my boat and went from my home port up to Alexandria VA by the Potomac. It was a great sail and the boat was easy to handle (even docking it wasn't bad) I am new to all of this (being the captain). The boat trailers well. I have a tandem axel trailer and it works great for the boat. If you have any questions about the Hunter 22 or you would like to see some pictures...feel free to e-mail me.
I have just spent my first season with my Hunter 22. This boat has a lot of room for a 22 foot boat. Most of my friends can't believe the layout inside. I have been aboard this boat for 10 days with my wife and we never got too cramped (we do tend to over pack too). The Hunter 22 is very affordable and it is a very good boat for sailing in the wind conditions that you mentioned. I single handed my boat and went from my home port up to Alexandria VA by the Potomac. It was a great sail and the boat was easy to handle (even docking it wasn't bad) I am new to all of this (being the captain). The boat trailers well. I have a tandem axel trailer and it works great for the boat. If you have any questions about the Hunter 22 or you would like to see some pictures...feel free to e-mail me.
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