Merit 22?

[kayak1]

I'm looking really hard at a Merit 22 for our first boat. It seems in good shape and well-cared for, with a year-old full-batten mainsail, plus genoa and jib, good trailer and 4 hp Johnson outboard.

We'd mainly sail mountain lakes in Montana, with maybe an annual vacation to the San Juans.

I'm a little concerned that there weren't many of these boats made, and there doesn't seem to be the active support groups, as there are for, say, San Juan 21s and Venture 21s.

Any insights for a new sailor?

[tenuki]

There are some very positive reviews of them on this site:

http://www.sailnet.com/boatchk/showp...p?product=1158

[7Psych]

Great boat, but is tender. You will need extra weight to keep her down and not rounding up. Not a good heavy air boat for two....will need to reef early and carry a small jib--85% or 60%. Well made and are a blast......

[kayak1]

Thanks for the responses. I had seen the reviews, and they were a large part of my interest in the boat. There's nothing very recent though. ....

And I'm wondering if 7Psych has had a Merit or sailed on one. I expected it to be tender, too, going by the specs, but the owner says no (it's his fifth or so sailboat), but of course he's trying to sell it.

How do you think it would compare to a Venture 21 or San Juan 21 for being tender?

[7Psych]

I've sailed on one and also a San Juan 21. Forget the Venture....not NEARLY the boat as either the San Juan or the Merit. The Merit is a better boat, hands down and sails much nicer. No doubt, I would purchase the Merit, just know what you plan to do with the boat and the type of sailing you will be encountering.

[kayak1]

Most excellent. Thanks for the advice. I've seen a few more photos of the Merit, now, and it keeps looking better - except for the world's ugliest cabin cushions.