Catalina 22
Posted by Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Do yall have thoughts on a Catalina 22? I’ll be mostly learning to sail, and island hoping. I’ll trailer it and not have it on a slip. There’s one near b”me that’s a 1985 for $3,500 usd. My goal would be to gain more sailing experience and sail it in coastal waters (Maine). I want to eventually get a live aboard that can cross oceans, but I don’t have the experience for that YET. Is this Catalina beginner friendly (assuming there’s no major repairs needed)?
ErikSchwartz@reddit
Great choice. You will learn a lot. It's tender enough that you can really see the impact of adjustments. It will not bankrupt you.
I would suggest getting an oversized auxiliary outboard, the currents around here are serious.
The---Bishop@reddit
Nobody answered about the price tag -- $3500 is probably fair, knowing nothing else. But the value of a boat like this includes the hull, standing rigging, running rigging, sails, outboard motor (you didn't say if it has one), and trailer. The outboard motor + trailer might be worth 90% of the value, or the motor could be missing or non-running, the trailer may be non-road-worthy. Sails could be from '85 and decent (well, probably not, that's 40 years) or from 2020 and fairly crispy.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Also one big ding in the hull that SHOULD be fixed, but is water ready as is.
NoF113@reddit
Your first reply to this guy I thought “damn nice deal” and then I read this… what do you mean by “big?”
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Uh I guess like just a chip of fiberglass out, pencil size and shape
NoF113@reddit
Ah a chip is fine, I was thinking a literal dent
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Sails need one new grommet, used, but useable. Comes with working 15 hp outboard. Rigging is all new as of last season. Boat and trailer have newly wired lights, trailer has new wheels.
Mynplus1throwaway@reddit
I had a dinghy and went right for a c22.
Read the manual, there are lots of little hidden things if it's your first boat. The keep strap/lock situation is worth checking out.
Is it a swing keel or fixed keel you are looking at? I would check out the pivot and stuff too.
I believe 85 is after the cockpit scuppers got moved to the transom? The manual covers all the little stuff. Closed vs open turnbuckles etc.
Any_March_9765@reddit
To trailer it? You would have to step the the mast EVERY time you trailer it.. and that's really not something you'd want to do. For Catalina 22 I think it would probably involve a machine to step it. You'd likely have to trailer it to a boat yard to get them to step it then launch there.
Catalina 22 is a good beginner boat, but if you plan on trailer instead of having it in the water, I recommend something MUCH smaller. Perhaps join a USSailing ASA sailing program to learn it first without buying a boat and pay a membership for a year or so before you consider any boat at all. Then perhaps something like a Sunfish for trailering.
rthille@reddit
I bought a different one, but the first one I looked at was owned by a guy who trailered it and stepped the mast alone, with only one full arm! I was amazed.
CptnWildBillKelso@reddit
It isn’t a big deal to step the mast on a c22. Super easy with 2 people. Easy with one person if you rig a gin pole and use the main sheet as a block and tackle.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
This is what I saw done and would be my plan
rthille@reddit
If it floats, buy it. I paid $3400 for a 1970’s vintage without a trailer. The newer (1984+?) vintage have cockpits that drain out the stern so you don’t have to worry about the thru-hull falling. If I’d been quicker and willing to pay ~$7k, I could have bought one like you describe. In hindsight that’s definitely what I’d prefer had happened.
BamaTony64@reddit
Great boat. Have owned two.
whatnoreally@reddit
Cat 22s are one of the all time greats. I imagine thousands of people learned to sail on them, and many people down size to them. I have a cs22, similar boat but not quite the same. and I have one single problem with trailer sailing it;
its too much work. my 22 has a taller mast than a cat 22 does. but by myself at the boat launch, it would take me near 3 hours to prep the boat by myself for a trip. raising the mast is a pain and a little sketchy at times. and when you compare that to smaller boats 19 feet and under that people prep in an hour solo its hard to love it. especially with a mast you can stand up with two hands in a split second. everything in sailing is a trade off and size is no exception. personally if I was doing it all over again, I would buy a smaller boat.
if you can bump your budget a bit a precision 18 would be a phenomenal boat, or anything else sub 18 feet. again the cat 22 is a great boat, loved by all. its just that in my experience trailer sailors become a little too much work after 18 or 19 feet.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Great info thank you!
Friendly_Curmudgeon@reddit
Dry sail is also a nice compromise, if it's available in your area.
LameBMX@reddit
ill hijack here. having owned a sc 22ft trailer sailor. think about seasonal slips. you can easily check out different locations and experiences, while minimizing the launch and retrieval headaches. it CAN be done faster than 3 hours..but then you're in such a rush it kinda ruins the vibe of sailing.
boatslut@reddit
Get / make a gin pole system for the mast. Takes hours down to 10's of minutes
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Do you know anything about 1984 starboard yacht co 16.8ft fractional sloop?
whatnoreally@reddit
I do not. I am quite the amateur myself especially in comparison to the other people of this sub. ideally you want to find a boat that is self righting if you can, and one that was mas produced, that way you have good information on forums and parts availability.
enuct@reddit
it's the most built keelboat in existence, you can't go wrong. the manufacturer is still around supporting them, they are still being built, and people just like you will be more inclined to buy one when you are ready to sell it and you should get your $3500 back easily.
if you are even remotely interested in owning a boat, it's a good choice if you actually use it.
InkMotReborn@reddit
It’s a great boat to learn on. See if you can get a mooring somewhere to save the hassle of launching every time you want to sail - especially if you’re solo. You’ll want to get out as much as possible and not be held back by the labor of launch and recovery of a relatively large day sailer.
Compared to the boats you aspire to, things will happen pretty fast in the Catalina 22. When you graduate to something like a Catalina 310/320, you’ll be surprised by how much easier it is to handle the larger boats vs. the 22. Most of it is the size and some of it is the tiller vs. helm.
Catalina 22s typically use a 5hp outboard for an auxiliary. So, you’ll need to brush up on your small engine maintenance. Hint: Fresh fuel and clean fuel lines are your friend.
Next_Confidence_3654@reddit
Excellent boat.
I own an ‘87 and practically learned on a ‘78(?).
It is very forgiving, but agree with others- get some time in a lightning, or even a sunfish to really feel things out. Response is much higher in a true race boat like a lightning.
Unless waves are part of the equation, the C22 will not tip- it will just turn up wind.
Fair price, but consider trailer, motor, rigging and sail conditions.
Salt water you will also want to check/replace the sacrificial anode(?) that helps prevent other goodies from disintegrating.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
I do have some sailing experience, but not enough to bother talking about ha.
Renting a 420/sunfish/lazer in my area is like $450 for 2 hours which is why I’m hesitant to go that route.
Next_Confidence_3654@reddit
What I meant was, buy the C22 and you will inevitably meet people with lighter race crafts to learn different skills on.
If you have a basic understanding of sailing, the Catalina is an awesome boat to start, despite its size.
It really is the perfect boat!
2Loves2loves@reddit
great starter boat.
Does it have a centerboard? check the pivot bearing.
be aware of the outboard can come out of the water in short choppy channels or sea ways.
X_kansas_x@reddit
Great boat to sail. I’ve seen this used for teaching basic keelboat courses. The cockpit is a bit cozy if you have more than 3 people and are sailing actively with that tiller. I found the one I’ve sailed frequently to be prone to weather helm if not reefed early.
US1MRacer@reddit
Take a look at the McGregor 22 (not the hybrid sailboat/power boat) and the later Venture 22 and Venture 222. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/macgregor-22/
It was designed as a trailerable sailboat - light weight so it can be towed with a smaller vehicle, sits down between the trailer wheels, has a hinged mast step and a gin pole that allows the use of a deck winch to crank the mast from horizontal to vertical and lower it without adjusting the standing rigging.
We had the 26 ft water ballasted dagger board version for 25 years that we trailered all over the West Coast. I had it set up so I could have it ready to sail away within 20 minutes of stopping the Ford Explorer at the ramp. While we loved the boat, the smaller 22 would be a better choice for a beginner sailor….and the parts are less expensive too.
They were/are inexpensive boats and not the quality of a Catalina, but it is a great first boat when the boat can’t be stored in a slip with the mast up.
There were hundreds produced so there are active forums - one on Facebook.
Intelligent_Rice7117@reddit (OP)
Thank you for this! And taking the time to tell me about it!
CptnWildBillKelso@reddit
C22 is a fantastic boat. Cheap. There’s a ton of them out there. Active racing class, which means people actually know how to sail them properly. As keelboats go, easy to rig, launch, etc. We have one.
But I don’t think a keelboat is good for a beginner. I think everyone should start on a small center boarder like a sunfish or laser. Those boats will give you immediate feedback and really teach you how everything fits together and how one change impacts the other factors. They’re also cheaper, much easier to store, transport, rig, etc. Start there and learn how to sail. Preferably with an accredited sailing program. Then step up to a bigger boat.
lucidguppy@reddit
I wish I had a truck so I could trailer one.
pieliker24@reddit
I'll echo what others have said. I have a Catalina 22 (pre-86) and it is an excellent boat. Great boat to learn on and cruise around. I have spent many nights aboard mine and while it can be a little tight it is very manageable. I would not consider it to be a trailer sailor. Some folks insist that it is feasible to raise and lower the mast every time you go out but I find that it takes too long to really enjoy your day on the water. My advice would be to jump on the C22 and look for a mooring you can keep it on. Realistically any non sailing dinghy will be best enjoyed with the mast up. Even boats in the 16-20 foot range it will be unpleasant to step and de-step (the mast) every time you want to go out. The Catalina 22 is one of the most popular boats of all time and ample parts/advice are available out there. Outside of hopping in a sunfish or a laser this is probably one of the most ideal boats to learn both sailing and boat ownership on.
SlideFire@reddit
Versatile boat thats a great first platform to learn on and make mistakes with
Sracer42@reddit
Never owned one but I would say it is a great learning boat. Simple, inexpensive, easy to handle. Have fun!
AkumaBengoshi@reddit
Perfect boat for that.
jaxn@reddit
Yes. It’s a perfect first keelboat. Easy to sail. Easy to rig. Easy to trailer. Easy to find parts and help.
scriminal@reddit
Lots of people did what you propose on that same boat