Late 80' trailer sailor (j/22, j/24, Catalina 22, etc.)

[Yankeedollar]

Anyone with experience as to issues that confront theses boats? How well does the construction hold up? What sorts of issues will I face that could be difficult to fix without professional help? Any insight on the different boats? The boat may need to be gulfstream capable, which makes me think that a keel would be best, however draft is an issue. Thoughts on the catalina 22 sport new? Ive been making steps down from a bristol 35.5 and a hunter 33. I will be keeping the boat in the Abaco Bahamas, and am looking for a solid boat that can handle minimal care. Also the boat will be being raced, however it will not be one design.

[JimsCAL]

Trailer sailer plus Gulfstream capable! Tough to do both! Most trailer sailers are swing keel or centerboard. Though J24s are trailered, launching a fixed keel boat of that draft is not an easy proposition.

[Lostmt]

I personally would look at the Starwind 22 over the Catalina 22.

The Starwind 22
Top of the line Herreshoff Design
Displacement 2600lbs
Swing keel 775lbs
Sail area 222 sq ft

The Catalina 22
Displacement 2250lbs
Swing keel 550lbs
Sail area 205 sq ft

The Starwind has a comfortable cabin area. I would prefer a heavier displacement and keel weight. In the right conditions I would take mine across the gulf stream.

Can't comment on the other two.

[Yankeedollar]

Im crossing both the j/boats off my list for now, but am adding in your recommendation for the starwind, as well as the wavelength and santanas from WD Schock. By gulfstream capable I am more at the point of one crossing in a group of boats, with the life raft on deck ready for it to sink the whole way across. But it should have no problem handling the chop that gets kicked up on the sea of abaco, or the rollers of the atlantic. I am stuck in trying to decide between keel or centerboard. And my issue with the catalina is that it is not a rocket for a race, not that it matters, in adjusted time I have placed highly in a marshall22. I have also come to the realization that I would need a boat yard to handle the boat down there, so the trailer is simply for getting the boat to FL and then maybe ill ship the trailer across.

[Yado]

Another option would be an O'Day 222. It has a keel and centerboard. The Catalina has a crank keel so you have to leave the tiller and reach inside the boat to crank the keel either up or down. The O'Day (and perhaps others) has a line uphaul just aft of the hatch boards. With ease, you can use the centerboard like you would on a dingy; no cranking. Years ago a guy posted on Sailnet that he had sailed his O'Day 222 from Florida to the Bahamas.
O'Day Sailboats Unofficial Web Site

[Yado]

O'Day 222
LOA 21'9"
LWL 19'7"
BEAM 7'11"
DRAFT (BOARD UP) 1'8" (BOARD DOWN) 4"8"
DISPLACEMENT 2,200LBS
BALLAST 800LBS
SAIL AREA 100% 207SF
I 22.75'
P 23.75'
J 7.J7'
W 10'

[Wayne25]

Well, I'm partial since I own one. Helms 25. I really like the ballasted keel along with the centerboard. Not a speed demon, about the same at the Catalina 25.




Its a big cockpit, don't get pooped out there.
There are a couple for sale now also.

[LittleWingCA]

The Dana 24 from Pacific Seacraft came with a 3 axle trailer if you wanted to purchase it. That boat might fit your trailerable + gulfstream capable. I don't have a picture of one on a trailer, nor do I know what kind of vehicle you need to pull one with, but it had a fixed keel and was ocean capable.

[Yankeedollar]

Ok so the more i think about it the more I want a boat that can perform. I dont need much more than a sail locker cabin like seen on the santana 20, or the wavelength 24. I feel that the draft will be an issue on these boats though.

I am also looking for anyone who has experience buying boats of this age and what common problems i should look for.

[Filmsomething]

You might want to add a Catalina 25 to your list, would be much more comfortable then a 22' boat. But it would more to handle trailering. I have a swingkeel version and I don't have much of a problem pulling/launching it with my Grand Cherokee