Daysailer

Addressing comfort first, the Capri has the advantage over the other three boats this month in that it has a head. Yes-sir-ee that old Wayside Chapel can come in handy sometimes, especially if you don't have the Kevlar bladder of a 19-year-old. This head is not enclosed, but tucked between the V-berths. You can pull a curtain for privacy if you need it.

The Capri also offers the advantage of having berths. This is not exactly what I would call a cruising layout, but with some careful packing and stowage, a family of four could cruise this boat. Even better, a couple of teenagers could throw their gear on the V-berths and sleep aft and cruise in enough comfort to keep them happy.

This is a true keel boat with a D/L of 123. You can have your choice of standard fin keel with 700 pounds of lead, or the wing keel with 650 pounds of lead. Draft with the fin keel is 4 feet and with the wing 2 feet, 8 inches. I can't imagine sailing a boat with 2 feet, 8 inches of draft, and I hope I never get the chance to try it. Beam is 8 feet, 2 inches for ease of trailering.

The changes over the previous model include a more pronounced knuckle at the forefoot, a finer bow, more beam aft, a new rudder planform and much less rocker. In short, the new 22's hull looks much more modern in its overall shape. I wonder which would be the faster boat if the boats were equipped identically. I know on paper the new version should outsail the older version. But strange things can happen in the wonderful world of yacht design. The numbers are virtually identical. The new keel is smaller in wetted surface, and the rudder is deeper. I'm sure the additional 2 inches of beam on the new model is only at the deck.

The cabintrunk has been redesigned too. The new cabintrunk is sleeker and less angular than the original. I like the long cockpit of this design. This cockpit is as big or at least as long as many you will find on boats over 28 feet. I could comfortably lay down on these cockpit seats.

The rig is the same as the old 22. Okay, they did change to an angled halyard exit block for a better fairlead on the new 22. Comparing the two drawings, old and new, I do see some changes, but they are not reflected in the spec sheet. The SA/D is 21.66. The new rig has a taller "I" dimension and either a shorter "E" dimension or a different traveler placement. The boom also looks lower on the new 22.

I have always been a fan of the Catalina line. Maybe it's because I'm a West Coast guy, but there is something I relate to in the general design focus of the Catalinas. I once owned a Catalina 27 and was quite happy with it. I taught my wife to sail in that boat. I applaud Catalina for not following the herd down the Euro styling path or is it the path of "Eurine." The clean almost classic good looks of this 22-footer will keep it looking fresh and handsome for years to come.