Need performance Info: Catalina 22 vs Columbia 23T

[Soundtrackzz]

Hey guys. The boats I’m looking at buying are a Columbia 23T and a Catalina 22. Everything else aside I just want to know how they compare performance wise and I can find any good comparison discussions. I’m wondering about ease of sailing, speed, how well do they point, how stable are they. You get the idea. The boat is going to be used on the Ohio River. Also I just heard that I might need to move to Myrtle Beach for work, so some discussion of the twos offshore performance would be useful too.

Thanks
Zach

[SkiprJohn]

Catalina 22 made a swing keel (centerboard) model and a fin keel model. Both would outperform the Columbia 23T to weather but just barely so it really shouldn't be a defining factor. The Cat 22 fin keeler will be just a little bit heavier than the Columbia but the centerboarder will be a little lighter. The Catalina 22 has 8" less waterline so would make it just a hair slower on a beam reach.
I would base my decision about these two boats on the condition and how you like the layout of the interior. In a little bit of off-shore cruising I'd not pick one over the other but I prefer not have a trailer sailer centerboarder for any off shore stuff.
kind regards,

[Cheechako]

The catalina will be easier to sell.....

[Vamonos]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

The catalina will be easier to sell.....

.... and new parts are still available from both Catalina Yachts and catalinadirect.com

[ohdrinkboy]

don't know if there is a particular reason you settled on these 2 boats. there are some other good options out there.

Catalina 25 - You get a lot more boat than the 22
Ranger 23 - These guys sail well in our wed. night races..much faster than a catalina 22
Compac 23 - Pretty little boat that is spacious
Seaward 22/23 - I own one and can answer question.
Lots of great options out there.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by ohdrinkboy

don't know if there is a particular reason you settled on these 2 boats. there are some other good options out there.

Catalina 25 - You get a lot more boat than the 22
Ranger 23 - These guys sail well in our wed. night races..much faster than a catalina 22
Compac 23 - Pretty little boat that is spacious
Seaward 22/23 - I own one and can answer question.
Lots of great options out there.

Good Point, although the ones he's looking at are gettting close to being free as you can get!
Ranger 23.... is that the little Mull designed boat? I used to love those....
Others: Oday 25, roomy 25 footer, at least as good than the Catalina. Chrysler 26. Both have stand up heads.

[Butler]

By report I understand that the Catalina 22 would be the better bet.
Check out the Columbia Yacht Owners forum for their take on the 23T which, if I remember right ,does not have a drop down keel but a very shallow fixed keel and so is easily pushed to leeward.
The Catalina 22s were just about the first trailerable weekender... been around for awhile. They and the Balboas led the charge for trailerables here in SoCal I believe and they have good reputations.

[ohdrinkboy]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Ranger 23.... is that the little Mull designed boat? I used to love those....

yep it is a mull design. good little boat that sails really well.

[SkiprJohn]

Back to your question. They should be equally easy to sail and handle.
As others have pointed out there are many other boats but specifically to these two that you mentioned the Catalina 22 will go to weather a bit better because of the keel configuration. The Columbia will hold its track better going downwind.
If you'd like comments on other boats then ask away.
kind regards,

[tager]

Both of those boats are lame. Get a cal 20.