Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 22 by Mike

Year built	1975
Location of boat	Pennsylvania
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2003
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Not this particular boat because of some big problems I found out about after buying. Hindsight is 20/20. I would buy another C22, even an older one like I own now. It sails really well into the wind, and with the right combination of sail reefs, can handle most conditions found at Pymatuning Lake. Sails above hull speed with a reefed main and partially furled genoa. The trick is try to keep the boat from heeling and rounding to maintain speed.
Gear that's been added	CDI furler,5/32" forestay, upgraded to all 5/16" open body turnbuckles, 150 genoa, new halyards, boom vang. Installed blocks to bring all halyards & reef lines to the cockpit. Added a topping lift. Added cam cleats to the coamings so I could single hand the jib sheets.
Structural or complex improvements	Rebuilt companion way hatch boards. Repaired the sliding and forward hatches. Removed and rebedded all the windows because they all leaked. Replaced the keel pin and cable, and added spacers. Installed a turnbuckle below the bow deck from the bow eye to the bow deck plate for strength. removed broken, leaking knot meter and glassed the hole over. Bottom painted the hull. Replaced the bulkhead compass. Installed locks to the dinnette table to prevent it from lifting out of the clips when someone leans on the table top.
The boat's best features	These boats sail very well for inland lakes and provide a lot of space to carry passengers comfortably. Easy to trailer. Parts are readily accessable.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The factory installed aluminum motor mount is very sloppy, and it makes it difficult to maintain a course when the water is a heavy chop, but remember, the boat & mount is 30 years old!
Sailing characterisitcs	Sails really well when I balance the sails to match the wind condition. I find that I sail at or above hull speed with a reefed main and partially furled genoa, without fighting the tiller, or rounding up or heeled over too much.
Motoring characterisitcs	Motors well, but sloppy in heavy seas because the mounting bracket is wearing out.
Liveability	Could comfortably handle two for a short period of time. The previous owner filled up a couple of the lockers with foam and took away some storage space.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	I did speak to one of their technical advisors, and they were very helpful, even mailed me an owner's manual for free.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I purchased it from a marina operator, who got a commission from the P/O. He helped me with some things that he did not have to, and I am grateful.
Other comments	I like it very much, and probably appreciate it more than if I hadn't need to do so much work to get it back together.

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