Anyone scanning the market for used sailboats in the 20-to-25 foot range likely will run across ads for Catalina 22s, with good reason: Catalina Yachts has built upwards of 10,000 different Catalina 22s, starting in 1969, and continues to offer three different versions of the craft.
While a new Catalina 22 can mean a significant investment, used versions represent good value, especially for beginning sailors or those new to sailboat ownership. Although most owners mainly daysail their boats, owners who opt for the pop-up camper-style top can overnight reasonably comfortably.
In addition, Catalina 22s are trailerable, and their shallow draft offers the ability to sneak into shallow anchorages or to get very close to shore.
Older Catalina 22s on Used Boat Market Come with Swing, Fin and Wing Keels
Over the years, Catalina Yachts built several versions of the Catalina 22, and shoppers on the used boat market will find multiple versions. Older boats with swing keels are most numerous, but many newer used boats offer a wing keel, and Catalina also built a fin keel version of its Catalina 22.
The two-foot-deep swing keel offers the shallowest draft option, while the fin keel, at three feet, six inches, provides the deepest draft. The wing keel draws two-and-a-half feet, and may offer a compromise for potential owners who don't want to maintain the swing keel.
The boats are powered by outboards, and will move comfortably at hull speed with an outboard in the five-to-eight horsepower range. Performance improves with a slightly more powerful outboard, but heavier, larger outboards also can weigh down the stern – a potential issue on a sailboat that displaces less than 2,500 pounds.
Catalina 22 Sailboats Emphasize Comfortable Sailing Over Speed
Although many owners consider their Catalina 22s fast, sailors used to modern performance daysailers may find a Catalina 22 a bit sluggish. However, new owners learning to sail probably will enjoy the boat's forgiving nature – it's hard to overpower the boat and put the rail in the water.
Many owners find that upgrading from a jib to a genoa improves performance, especially in light air. However, the boat has a tendency to develop some weather helm when the wind speed starts climbing, and some owners have added roller furling, which lets them shorten sail easily and also enables them to avoid trips to the foredeck along the Catalina 22's narrow side decks.
Overnighting on Catalina 22 Almost Requires Pop-Top Option
Many Catalina 22 owners report that they overnight frequently on their boats, and some travel more extensively on them, often trailering them to new locations.
To overnight with a Catalina 22, owners almost certainly will need the optional pop-top, which raises the cabin height to a level that provides sitting headroom. Catalina Yachts now provides the pop-top as standard equipment on new Catalina 22s.
The boat will sleep two adults and one or two small children in somewhat reasonable comfort. However, it isn't set up well for extended cruising. It's certainly possible to cruise for a week or more on a Catalina 22, but owners warn that the cabin space gets awfully tight after a couple of days. The boat's portable toilet lives under the v-berth, which can be problematic with several people on board for an overnight trip.
Trailering Catalina 22 Sailboat Takes Mid-Sized Vehicle
Catalina Yachts always has marketed the Catalina 22 as an easily trailerable pocket cruiser, and for its size, it does trailer well. However, the boat's weight – 2,250 pounds for the swing keel version and 2,490 pounds for the fixed keel versions – likely will preclude trailering it with a mid-sized sedan; instead, owners will need an SUV or similarly powerful vehicle.
Catalina 22s with swing keels will move on and off the trailer at the launch ramp more easily than the versions with fixed keels, but the swing keel itself poses some issues for owners: many report that they've needed to replace the wire pendant that moves the keel up and down, or perform other maintenance on the swing keel and its associated hardware.
Used Catalina 22 Offers Good Bargain as Entry-Level Boat
Catalina 22 sailboats offer a good entry-level option for sailors who want the ability to trailer their boats and the option to spend a night aboard. Potential buyers may also want to look at the Catalina 25 – the Catalina 22's big sister – and at older MacGregor 26 trailerable sailboats, which offer another potential option.
Because Catalina Yachts built so many Catalina 22 sailboats, buyers will find many different options on the used boat market at any given time.
Boats less than 10 years old generally list for upwards of $10,000, but boats from the 1980s are offered for sale between $4,000 and $6,000. Boats built in the 1970s generally are listed for sale for less than $4,000, and used boat bargain hunters likely can buy a boat for considerably less than the owner's asking price.
However, potential buyers of older Catalina 22s should take the time to carefully survey the vessel before writing a check, since older boats potentially have more problems and may not have been maintained well. Current owners often post about problems and solutions at the Catalina Owners forum and website, an excellent resource for potential buyers of used Catalina 22s.
Jane Anderson - Jane M. Anderson spends as much time as possible on the water, working and sailing on boats. She grew up sailing Sunfish and Rhodes 19s on ...
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