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I have come across an opportunity to purchase a Catalina 22 for a mere $1500.00. It doesn't have a motor or trailer so I would have to add that expense if I wanted either of those (motor yes, trailer - maybe) Does anyone have any experience with these boats. Someone told me to watch the tabernacle as it was somewhat weak. From the photo's the boat is in good shape although the photos may have been taken in 1983 for all I know. I am going to see the boat next week end and any advise on what to look for would be greatly appreciated. I already have a name picked out The Nicolina after my grand daughters Nicole and Angelina.

This will mean if I purchase it that I am no longer the smallest boat at my marina (currently a Sunbird 16, the Lusty Slogger)

Catalina 22 is a classic. many an hour and cruise on them when i learned to sail back in the mid-70s.

any boat that old the areas of concern -

* all deck fittings need to be re-bedded. ALL of them. unless the prior owner did them <7 years ago. look for leaks.

* check the winches. if they have never been serviced they could be frozen or have broken interior bits.

* assuming this is a centerboard version. check the winch and the wire. also check the condition of the board.

* if the check the deck for areas of flex (spiderwebbing of the gelcoat). if really bad may have weakened the fiberglass ... and evidence the boat was raced.

* is the pop-up companionway hardware in working condition? how about the vinyl 'skit'?

* look for leaks around the cabin windows and forward hatch.

* how is the teak? just weathered or dried up and cracking?

* confirm condition of the hull/deck joint.

* confirm condition of the shrouds, backstay and forestay. also check turnbuckles, etc.

* check condition of the chainplates and bow plate.

* condition of running rigging? all present?

* are those sails original? if yes they all need to be replaced.

* below look for evidence of standing water. does the boat smell musty/moldy? yes, there is a leak.

* condition of the electrical system? are all components MARINE quality (old boats have a lot of home done electrical work that doesn't use marine quality hardware.) if there has been a leak aboard the electrical is suspect ... besides the issue of being 30 years old.

the good news is there are so many 22's around. you can still find parts, or salvage parts off another boat. there is a strong owners community.
* how do the cabin cushions look? what about the galley area and the forward bulkhead?

wdscobie wrote:Catalina 22 is a classic. many an hour and cruise on them when i learned to sail back in the mid-70s.

any boat that old the areas of concern -

* all deck fittings need to be re-bedded. ALL of them. unless the prior owner did them <7 years ago. look for leaks.

* check the winches. if they have never been serviced they could be frozen or have broken interior bits.

* assuming this is a centerboard version. check the winch and the wire. also check the condition of the board.

* if the check the deck for areas of flex (spiderwebbing of the gelcoat). if really bad may have weakened the fiberglass ... and evidence the boat was raced.

* is the pop-up companionway hardware in working condition? how about the vinyl 'skit'?

* look for leaks around the cabin windows and forward hatch.

* how is the teak? just weathered or dried up and cracking?

* confirm condition of the hull/deck joint.

* confirm condition of the shrouds, backstay and forestay. also check turnbuckles, etc.

* check condition of the chainplates and bow plate.

* condition of running rigging? all present?

* are those sails original? if yes they all need to be replaced.

* below look for evidence of standing water. does the boat smell musty/moldy? yes, there is a leak.

* condition of the electrical system? are all components MARINE quality (old boats have a lot of home done electrical work that doesn't use marine quality hardware.) if there has been a leak aboard the electrical is suspect ... besides the issue of being 30 years old.

the good news is there are so many 22's around. you can still find parts, or salvage parts off another boat. there is a strong owners community.
* how do the cabin cushions look? what about the galley area and the forward bulkhead?

Thank you very much for your input. You are right about the number of them available. At the marina I currently sail from there are 34 sailboats. Of these at least 4 are Catalina 22's.

To be honest one question I have is why is this boat selling so cheaply. From what I have seen these boats go from between 4 and $6000.00. $1500.00, even around here where sailboats generally sell well below normal, that is cheap.

Well, I will go look at it this week end and based on this I will make a decision.