Are there any ideas anyone might have about blue water in a cat 22

[Barquito]

Have you done all of the usual upgrades?

-Strengthen the stem fitting backing
-Add 2 Larger scuppers
-Backing plates on everything
-Everything tied down; batteries, water, gas, books, self (!)
-Keel pivot tight
-keel lock effective
-strong hasps on lockers
-modify gas locker vents (they double as water scoops in knockdown)
-locking hatch boards

The C22 has so much weather helm when it heels. What are you planning for auto-steering?

Obviously, many have made longer passages in lesser boats.

[kwaltersmi]

closehauled14 - Welcome to Sailnet!

Best of luck on your voyage and I admire your sense of adventure.

Have you done anything to strengthen/improve the swing keel? I'd make sure the pivot bolt and bushings are in tip-tip shape. I'd also make sure the centerboard trunk was in good shape, and possibly beefed-up, if possible. Make sure the winch and winch wire are in good shape. Maybe bring some spare parts for the winch and pivot bolt assembly?

Have you done anything to improve cockpit drainage? The C22's I've been on have a relatively large cockpit compared to the LOA. Also, I don't believe the lazarette hatches are entirely watertight. Maybe add some gasket and increase the drainage capacity? How about a locking bolt for the hatchboards?

My other concern about a C22 in bluewater is the auxillary outboard. I owned a simlar boat (Helms 25) and the outboard would cavitate massively in anything bigger than 2-3 footers. Make sure your outboard is in good shape and properly sized (both hp and shaft length). You might also consider a small drogue or sea anchor in case you really need to hold position or keep off a lee shore in big seas.

[closehauled14]

Thank you for the suggestions. Especialy the one about extra parts for the keel assembly. I have replaced everything, but had overlooked spares. I already have a sea anchor, but I'm starting to consider a drogue. Does anyone have an opinion on the matter?

[MazeRat7]

First, I own an 83 C22 and would never consider such a thing. But as you said, you know the risk, how tender those boats are, and how they are not the best at righting after a knockdown.

That being said, to get to your questions...

Kind of depends on the year of the boat. Many good suggestions so far and I agree with others the most important thing is making her as water tight as possible.
- Thru transom scruppers
- Locking companion way boards (at least the bottom one)
- Sealing lazarettes and bow hatch
- Manual and auto bildge pumps
- Everything tied down
- Backing plates everywhere, turnbuckles and cable new.
etc.

Also, there were several modifications over the years, the most important in early models (dont remember the exact year) was reinforcement of the forward stay. The older ones are known for pulling loose with large or extremely loaded headsails. Check in the anchor rope locker and there should be a connection to your bow tow eye.

Make sure your keel hardware is in top shape before you go. While I doubt you will be raising and lowering it much, the pivot pin hole in the keel tends to become elongated and, in addition to the annoying "banging sound", could pull loose from the hull hangers under large lateral forces. Also, about the only keel work you can do when in the water is replacing the winch cable. Any other work and you must lift the boat.

Check the spreaders. If your spreader to mast connectors are cast aluminum replace them with stainless steel as the cast aluminum are known to break without notice under load.

Those are the things I personally know about with factory boats not related to rigging for single handing, adding non-factory upgrades, etc. I'll edit if I think of any others, since my log is at home and well... I'm reading sailing posts from work.

Good luck,

MZr7

[lenl1540]

I own a Macgregor M 26, 2007 (S/V Wind Dancer). My wife and I reguarly spend one or two weeks aboard. Many Mac's have made the trip you are speaking of..The secret seems to be timing the weather windows. I personaly would have second thoughts. That being said, keep all of the weight as low as possible. Lash the outboard to the boat..Be sure your rudder plates can take sever lateral blows.

We nomally sail the lakes of Kentucky and have been caught in two tornados. Fringe areas. They both blew up suddenly from sunny skies. In one we were exposed to 6-8 ft. short chop and 35-40 gusts. The boat held up well but the bucking was indiscribable.We had to stay in the center of the boat to avoid being injured..I could see the sides of the boat slightly bend.

As long as you are ready for this type of adventure then DO IT!

Try to cross with a flotilla of other boats.

The wind be with you,
Len

[saildork]

I'd recommend joining the C22 National Sailing Assn. You'll find a good forum and multiple links to blogs where C22 owners detail the many upgrades they've made on their boats. Also, the ship store (Catalina Direct) has lots of stuff you can buy that will make your boat more seaworthy and more comfortable.

In addition to the suggestions made by other posters here, you might consider: - a second reef in the main and a storm/heavy wx headsail,
- beefed up tiller straps for the connection to the rudder, also a safety strap from the boat to the rudder in case a wave pulls it out of the gudgeons,
- a tang from the forestay attachment plate to the backing block of the trailering eye-bolt on the stem,
- tying the shroud backing plates to the bulkheads and then to the inner pan inside the boat,
- adding a backstay adjuster for improved sail trim and reducing wx helm,
- replace the 1/4" x 2" lag screw that secures the mast-step plate with a 5/16" x 2 1/2" screw. Also, replace the bolt at the forward end of the mast-step plate with a larger one, and beef up the backing plate.

Hope some of this helps.

Pat
C22, Stargazer

[T34C]

While a number of skilled sailors like Webb Chiles have circumnavigated in smaller boats (he had already circumnavigated a couple times in larger boats), if you gotta ask...

[philsboat]

Something you might consider if the boat has a weighted centerboard is some way to lock it in the down position in case the boat is capsized in big waves.I have heard of a centerboard crashing through the trunk in a capsize.

Good luck!
Phil

[closehauled14]

I don't have to ask, I just think that generating a conversation with other knowldgable sailors could produce some ideas, or remind me of things that I may have overlooked.

[T34C]

Originally Posted by closehauled14

I don't have to ask, I just think that generating a conversation with other knowldgable sailors could produce some ideas, or remind me of things that I may have overlooked.

...if there's something you "might have over looked", maybe you're not prepared for something like this. No offense, but I'm refering to you not the boat. Very few of us are likely to be the next Webb Chiles.