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

[closehauled14]

I went out on a short cruise with a friend of mine from Southport, NC to Charleston, SC and back. On the way back it got a little intense, 30-35 kt. winds, and probobly 6-8 ft seas. I was a bit nervous about our circumstances being in a 27' buckaneer. We tried making some way under the storm jib but couldn't get close enough to the wind. After about an hour of geting soaked, beaten, and blown off course we decided just to take it. We got as close as we could to the wind under power,doused the jib and set out his drogue and 100 ft of painter line. We went below, sealed it up. Since we were about 60 miles offshore we knew we would have plenty of room. We set the radar alarm to 3 miles, set the depth alarm to 25 ft, and set the drift alarm to 4 kt so that we would know imediately if we had lost the drogue. We ate, we slept, and we waited. Anyways, I came out of what was quite a miserable experience with a new affection for smaller boats. That buck was short enough to fit neatly between the swells so that you don't get that jarring sensation as you would on a larger vessel when you have one forward of the stern when you plow into the next. It just kind of went with it, and, personaly, I thought it was a little more comfortable than it could have been.

[sailingfool]

This thread is a real tempest in, or at least about, a teapot. To each their own, but I gotta say, FWIW the wind speed in the video isn't over 20, probably the high teens. The sea state is too flat, no white caps at all, plus no way a C22 could reach with a genny and full main in over 20, even a stiff cruiser would round up with full sails in mid 20s or higher...

[NCountry]

The video is interesting but I don't think it's 30 knots. Look at the waves, very few white caps on them. I've been in 30 knots on a lake in a c22 and that's not what it looks like but I digress.
Beef up the rudder especially where the tiller attaches. I would also remount the rudder so that the leading edge of the bottom of the rudder is forward of the top. That will help your weather helm problem. We had the same issue with a Mecregor 23 that we bought for the boys. An old sailor from Hawaii suggested the fix and it worked awesomely. Backing plates where the tiller pins attach to the transom. Also rig the motor mount so you can get the motor really low in the water. We had times when we needed the motor and couldn't keep it in the water enough of the time to do much good.
I would pull the swing keel and beef up the bolt it pivots on. Also line up where the bolt that locks it in place goes and place a brass insert or something else for the locking bolt to sink into. The c22 relies on friction of the bolt against the side of the keel to hold it in place. If things get rough it will slip.
I'm thinking you're already dones something about the factory winches. They don't even work very well on a lake in moderate winds.
Before each crossing silicon the pop top in place. Better no head room and a dry spot than being able to pop it in the open water. also suggest you do the same with at least the first hatch board. The step in the companionway from the cockpit is pretty short. Wouldn't take much of a wave to put water into the cabin. Same for the forward hatch unless you beefed up the gasket around it.
The base of the mast is going to need some pretty major work. You might have it fabricated out of something stronger than the aluminum from the factory AND I would rig the forestay so that you could lay the mast back using the mast base as a hinge. If you lose a halyard you're gonna want to lay it down instead of go up it. The factory mast is really weak also. Not sure how to beef it up but find a way or get a stronger mast. I know this adds weight up top but it will be off set by all the stuff you're going to need to pack down below. I read about one buy that used plastic jugs for water and he kept them in his cabin sole to add balast. When the fresh water was gone he filled them with salt water and left them in the floor.
Never mind some of the old cranky guys here. They mean well but they have lots of opinions. They've really flamed me on a thing or two as well. It just means they are paying attention.
Fair Winds and Full Sails.

[DaveRobbins]

The weak spot on a C-22 is the rudder. The same with the 25. You need to beef up the Gudgeons and Pintles big time. Loosing a rudder out there would be ........ bad.

[closehauled14]

NCountry, your comments got a few of my remaining gears turning. I apreciate the suggestions, especialy the one about modifying the rudder to have the bottom lead edge fowrard of the top.

[tdw]

Originally Posted by St Anna

THere are a number of people who have sailied Hobie 14's long distances. I have heard of 2 who have sailed from Sydney up the coast to T.I and across to New Guinea and on to the Louisiades. Just pull ashore at night, if possible.

Also a 24' cat (cant remember the design) sailed from Panama to Tahiti with parents and 2 kids.

All been done - eg Capt Bligh or Lt Flinders and Bass

StAnna....did you know that some fella actually sailed an 18' skiff from Sydney to LA ?

[msl]

This is ridiculous. Just go if you want to. Don't hurt anybody. Good luck.

[retclt]

Go alone . . .

[lans0012]

You being an experienced sailor I'm sure you'll get a feel for the wind ranges that you can deal with in that boat fairly quickly. I've sailed C22's a bunch of times and I think they would be a great coastal cruiser for one person especially here in SW Florida where the depths are an issue just like the bahamas.

I've met some diehard C22 guys here in Tampa bay that have been in all sorts of conditions and vouch for the boat. The weak points are the swing keel, rigging, and rudder. You could easily beef those up and bring spare parts to keep it going if something broke.

The big weak point is the gigantic companionway. In heavy seas, one knockdown without the boards in, and you're going straight to the bottom. On the other hand, being that you know what you are doing and being conservative with weather means that you "proabably" wont get knocked down in heavy seas because you wont be out in them. Find some way to keep water out and you're good to go. And use jacklines when offshore.

You'll find the best anchorages with your 2' draft.

Not to sound like an advertisement but I use an extra long 25" shaft 6hp Nissan on my ranger 22. Previously my 20" shaft would ventilate in moderate chop. I've yet to ventilate with this one. Not that I've been in 10ft seas or anything but I've been through some nasty squals in and around Tampa bay that bring tons of wind and large short period waves. I close the hatches and plow through while my girlfriend prays to God and pukes over the side. I've seen the water go up and over the motor hood a couple of times and I don't like that feeling, but it's never sucked any up...yet

Anyhow get a 25" shaft, beef up the rig, make a solid(bombproof) hatchboard, bigger scuppers, and you'll be all set.

[St Anna]

Originally Posted by tdw

StAnna....did you know that some fella actually sailed an 18' skiff from Sydney to LA ?

I realise that this comment will bring all sorts of condemnation but;
Only a few years ago,people fixed up old clappers, bult their own and went off cruising. The boats all had some dry rot in the deck or in the mast etc. The crew - often a guy and his girl or a young family knew the risks, but they were more interested in going sailing, fixing what needing to be done, putting up with what was unfixable - but they went and had wonderful adventures. ALmost iron men and wooden yachts. They knew no-one could or would be around to resuce them. The going attitude was that a liferaft would kill you slowly so dont bother.

Its the Alby Mangels and David Lewis view - and it is lost with technology and regulations.

So prepare yourself and your cat22 and do it. You wont have sailnet in a cat 8 breeeze; or any other assistance but your ability and guts to keep the boat upright. Go for it, but be prepared to lose and risk what you can lose.

I was soloing a 12' cherub dinghy in Moreton bay at 14, delivering 36' ketches solo at 18 - back when I was invincible. I understand your desire to try this adventure. In my Dads era, it would not be considered and adventure. People did this thing regularly. SOme won, some lost.