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I Have A 86 Cal 22 That I Love But Never Seen Another One In My Aera (ky/in Ohio River) Or Hear Any Talk On The Form. Would Love To Hear Any Advice/tech Tips. I Almost Sold Her 2 Years Ago For A Larger Boat (saber 28) Thanks
The boat goes better than I would have thought. I race my Sunfish most of the time but did a mixed doubles race with my wife last year, non spinnaker. We had just got the boat and were 5th in a large fleet. I have the spinnaker set up correctly now, the original set up from when I bought it was pretty suspect. As soon as get some decent crew I'd like to race the thing. For a boat with only 20 ft waterline its fast. One thing I have noticed, its seems to be really overpowered with the 150 Genoa. I've been using an older 125 and I'll think I will have a new one of those made instead, it's way more balanced.
Just to clarify, did you correct to 5th or finish 5th? Either way, that is good racing for first time out. I sail on a small inland lake that has very few sailboats, so I don't have much to compare to locally. I helm and crew on other boats racing on the river in Louisville...from that experience it seems to me that my Cal would compete well, but until you are next to the other boats racing, I guess I'm just not sure. That's why you are being quizzed.
My issue is I want to race spin....the spin fleet I would be sailing in is the last fleet off the line. Winds diminish around here, and I would be the highest phrf in that fleet. I don't want to be thanking the committee boat for staying up late every week. Might just end up in JAM for a season and see how it turns out.
I purchased a new 135% three seasons back. I had the foam put in the luff so it can be furled for reefing. I think 130 to 135 is a good balance, and can be reduced to 110 or so without losing too much sail shape. I sail by myself most of the time....I remember the first time I had two full sized adults males on the rail with me, I was surprised at how much more wind we could handle under full sail. So a little crew weight will help you out with the balance on her. I believe the original Cal 22 sail was a 130. I increased the roach on the new main too, as I am sailing in light winds most of the summer.
Mine goes to the masthead so We can fly a bigger chute. I need a fixed tie on the forward station for the halyard though, it tends to get caught in the jib roller gear otherwise.
It was 5th corrected, lots of 40+ footers racing, probably more like 25 the at the line. To be honest, I was pretty clueless, it was a learning session for me. First time I have ever raced anything with a keel except maybe a Star.
So this is looking astern on the port side seat back cushion. The outboard side of the horizontal wood is cut to the form of the hull. The inboard side is straight, and this is where you attach the backrest. It appears to me that the backrest itself was connected to the horizontal board before the fabric was put on, because it screws from inside the backrest to the edge of the horizontal piece....which is a poor method. One end of mine is weak where the screw has stripped out of the wood edge. The outboard side of horizontal piece screws directly down to the ledge formed by the hull. You can see a couple of those screws on the right side in the photo. There are two vertical braces. (one pictured)One in the middle and one on the aft end. You want to keep the height in mind when you attach the backrest....there should be enough room for your shoulder to slip under the rest when laying down as this is supposedly a berth too. Run some wire through to port below the sink....you never know when you might want to have some 12 v forward. Water pressure for instance.
Hello folks, I just purchased a Cal-22 and plan to do a complete project upgrade. I would like reopen this thread because of the great input I gathered from reading it. My list continues to grow. Look forward to getting current owner's feedback.
This my third sailboat. I started with a Catalina 30 and move up to a Beneteau 343. Now it is time to down size and play a little.
Let me know who is out there. I have questions about traveler location, mast & boom rebuild and outboard aux power for starters.
Thanks Ron,
I am looking to move my traveler forward. I not sure where you are sitting in the cockpit. Is it possible to have a cabin top traveler and be able to comfortably reach it with a tiller extension. The other option is mid boom in the cockpit .
Are you planning to race? Do you have a fin keel version?
There is no doubt that the the traveler is poorly positioned for fluently, or efficiently, getting the boom on the center line. You might try googling for photos of Cal 22's.....I believe I recall seeing a traveler that had been moved/modified as you suggest. You would have to get it in front of the lockers. I think cabin top would be disruptive to the companionway, and probably too far forward on the boom. In my opinion, part of the great functionality of the Cal 22 is large cockpit for boat of this size. Moving the traveler in there is going to disrupt that design. But its all about what you are doing with the boat. Strictly racing with 1 or 2 crew....you could probably make the boat faster by modifying the traveler. Casual sailing...juice isn't worth the squeeze.
I sit, with tiller extension in hand, as far forward as possible. I get my weight up, lean against the lifelines when necessary. Thats usually where I need to be to see my foresail telltales. I can work the mainsheet and the jib sheets from that position just fine. I sail by myself most of the time.
Instead of moving the traveler, have you considered the possibility of leaving it where it is and re-locating the traveler's controls? You could put much longer control lines on the traveler, and use turning blocks and deadeyes to lead the lines forward to wherever you sit in the cockpit. The line could be terminated, on each side of the cockpit, at a deadeye and a cleat. Then, while seated forward, near the companionway, you could adjust or play the traveler without having to reach back to the transom.
But, as an alternative suggestion, I had a 25' boat with a transom mounted traveler similar to yours and was able to use it very efficiently simply by developing some techniques that made it easier for me. Lots of boats have transom mounted travelers, and people learn to use them. One of their advantages is that, if people sit forward in the cockpit, they don't have to worry about being clotheslined by the mainsheet when you gybe.
It's a pin stop style traveler on a short curved track. There are no control lines to extend. The pin stop is tough to move efficiently if you are doing any racing.
But leaving where it is might work if you could fit a new system in there. New, longer straight track. I think I looked at doing that once and the stern rail post restricts the track length. If you move the track a little forward of the stern rail I suspect the lockers will not clear when opening. I center the traveler and work the mainsheet hard when I'm playing racer on the lake. I did add a garhauer rigid vang years ago.
I have a Laser 28 to race now, so the Cal is the casual cruiser now.
When used in conjunction with a boom vang, a traveler doesn't need to be very long, especially on a smaller boat. The traveler changes the sail's angle of attack without changing the sail's shape, and only needs to be long enough to take the pressure off the sail in the gusts, thereby reducing tiller pressure. If the gust is so strong that the traveler is insufficient to do that, then easing the mainsheet will do it. The boom vang will keep the boom from rising when you ease the mainsheet, preserving the shape of the sail.
I understand why you would want to upgrade the traveler. Among other deficiencies, it will not bring the boom above the center line....maybe not even to the center line. It will not allow you to efficiently control twist in the sail. Its a great little boat, but the traveler is a weak point.
I appreciate the feedback. Sorry I have not replied sooner. Work is getting in the way. I do not plan on being a big racer. Mainly going to do day sailing.
Traveler is a problem. I am still giving it some thought. The Catalina Capri mounts in the middle of the cockpit. Not sure I like that set up. I have seen a 27' boat with it on the cabin top. If I am sitting far enough forward it may be ok. I am going with a solid vang. Did anyone try the smaller garharger vang. If not what model have you installed.
He are some projects I started. Took the boom home and disassembled. Going install new sheaves and outhaul. Z-Spar has a great web page and all the hardware is available. Took the tiller home and stripped for refinishing. Took the forward hatch top home. Ordered be acrylic locally. I want to replace the gasket but lewmar does not make it any longer. I found a company that offers a replacement but it is not exact. It is about $50 for the replacement gasket and $75 for lense. It is a no brainier since it is completely disassembled. I plan on popping the frame up and reseating with 3m 4000.
Next big project is dropping the mast. I plan on new standing and running rigging. Install new light and windex. The mast looks to be great shape.
That is enough for now. Annapolis boat show just around the corner.
Hi folks,
Here is an update on my projects. Mast is down and wiring and lighting is complete. I tried to get some estimates on new standing rigging. Pricing from $440 to $900. It makes me wonder what could possibly be the difference for the big delta. I have boxed up my old rigging and will be shipping it out to rigger in New England to firm up the price. The original rigging hardware uses offsets tee fittings to fix the side stays to the mast. Those are not made any longer. Has anyone run into this?
The big project now are the blisters on the bottom. So many that I would call them poxs. They are 1/4-3/8 in size. After sanding the bottom paint off I was able to expose the extent of the problem. The only way to fix the properly is grind all the gelcoat down to the fiberglass matte. Big project. I am 4 days into the grinding. I figure 2 more days with the grinder then 2-3 days with a sander.
Well after a little break, I am back on the project. The Blister project went well. Just hauled out after 1 year and not a single blister. Over the winter I learned how to do Gel coat repair and fixed all the crazing on the top side. Just lowered the mast to adjust my spreaders. When I originally install the new standing rigging, I set them to high. I did not realize the first time around but 5-10 deg up works well when you start tuning. Installed the a new Schaefer CF-500 SnapFurl. It was not as easy as the video. It is a two man operation and I was solo. Now it is time to order a new genoa. I am looking for feed back on a manageable size. I was thinking 115. I think a 130 was original. I will be sailing alone. Does anyone have any good feed back on size and sail maker?
My latest project is to install a solid vang. I hope to install this weekend.
One of the last major design upgrade will be the traveler. I am not sure what I will do.
Look forward to hearing from some owners that still monitoring the site.
I have an 85 22 Cal. Love the boat, currently trying to locate a furler for it. Would love some info on what knowledge anyone can give regarding the type and where to find the best deals.
I have a cal22, 1986 full keel. She is a speedy lil girl even in light winds. I am putting her up for sale because I just lucked into a Morgan 35. I’ll be sad to see the little boat go, but she has been good to me
Just bought 1985 Cal 22,just needs really good cleaning . Planning on docking at Battery Park Marina in Sandusky Ohio. I need a outboard for it, doing some research looking at 6 hp Evinrude and adding alternator to it. Any thoughts on what current owners are using hp size and reliability with there current outboards. Really looking forward to next spring and getting back under sail. I will have many questions on upgrades (knotmeter/depth sounder,soild vang,roller furling if my works or not). Thanks glad to be aboard.
I sailed one back in the 1970's, that boat had a 3 1/2 hp Mercury long shaft, which was easily able to push that boat at hullspeed. It did not have an electric start or alternator, but was easy to put on and take off. We had a motorcycle battery for the running lights, depthsounder and knotmeter which we charged at the dock.
If you check the specifications under most if not all 5/6 hp outboards, there is a dealer installed alternator option available. Most are 400 dollars part without installation . :wink
Sweet! Congrat's on the boat.
I have a 4 1/2 Yamaha long shaft. More than enough for me. I was shopping around earlier looking at larger Honda's. $$$ I was able to get the one that came with boat repaired. I have a little more invested in the motor repair than I wanted. For now I am good. I have only been working on the boat. I have not sailed it yet. Target is the spring. I will only use the battery for Garmin speed and depth and a very occasional steaming light. A battery charge goes a long way. I will charge at the dock if needed. The boat came with a Yamaha rectifier. I have not used it to charge the battery. If you are going to need to charge frequently, you look at that option in lieu of an alternator.
I have a lot of projects planned and some major ones completed. Stay tuned.
I did some on-line searching regarding optional alternators that you suggested were available. All I can find is the 6 to 10 amp charging circuits which typically put out about 3 or 4 amps at cruising speed...this is hardly adequate for running even modest systems for any extended cruising. Is this what you are calling an alternator or is there something else? I don't see how a proper alternator could be mounted under an outboard cowling, that is why I asked the question.
Hey everyone,
Just resuscitating this thread to see who is still out there. I just bought my first boat, a 1986 Cal 22 and am interested in meeting others who own this boat. I have never seen another one out in the wild, and as others have noted, there is very little information on it on the web.
Would anyone be willing to post some pictures of how their reefing line is set up? I've read the rigging instructions in the owners manual over and over, but can't seem to quite figure out what to do with the line as it leads from the end of the boom on the starboard side up to the gooseneck. The manual refers to a D ring, which I'm guessing was supposed to have been installed on the luff cringle, but has long since disappeared off my original mainsail.
Your sail should have a D ring forward and a reenforced hole towards the rear at the reefing point. The line runs up from the gooseneck to the Forward D ring and then back down to a pulley. Then back through a loop or two to the rear pulley. Then up through the hole and back down the port side to a loop. Tie a knot in the end of the line to secure. Mine has a couple pulleys on the deck and a cam lock near the cockpit so you can pull her down without having to go forward.
Hello everyone,
I am looking for information on the Cal22. I am eyeing on an 85 model. I read different posts here and there but not much to find. Does anyone know more about construction quality and material used for deck and keel? Any info on boat behavior, weaknesses and performance would be appreciated as well.
Planning coastal cruising no racing.
Thank you.
I can't speak to the sailing performance of the boat, as I just bought mine in October and only got half a dozen light air sails in before the end of the season. However, I do have a scan of the original owner's manual for the 86 model, which has some info on construction methods, materials and other specs. Drop me a line if you want a copy. I can't post it here because PDF uploads are disabled and I can't even post a link to an external site because I'm a new member.
Greetings all! I'm a happy new co-owner of a 1985 Cal 22 in Portland, Oregon. I'll be looking for discussions with anyone that jumps back on this thread in the near future. Cheers!
Hey! Welcome. Congrats on the boat. You'll have a lot of fun with her.
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