Used Catalina 22, 25 and 27 buying guide: a cheap first sailboat, checked

The small Catalinas taught a generation to sail. The Catalina 22 is one of the most popular trailerable sailboats ever built, with a big, active owners' and class community, and the 25 and 27 add a little more cabin for overnights. Parts and advice are everywhere, and prices are low.

You'll rarely lose much money on a small Catalina, because there's always somebody wanting to learn on one. Buy the cleanest one you can find, with a serviced keel and sails that still have some life, and spend the rest on lessons.

At a glance

Is a small Catalina right for you?

A good fit if you want to learn to sail on a cheap, forgiving, popular boat, you'll trailer the 22 or keep a 25 or 27 on a mooring, and you want a boat you can sell easily later.

Think twice if you want standing headroom and real cruising comfort, the swing keel hardware hasn't been serviced, or you're paying well over the going rate.

What to check

The swing keel (22 and 25)

This is the most important check on a swing-keel Catalina. Look at the cable, winch, pivot pin and keel hanger. A worn cable or pin can drop the keel. Ask when they were last replaced, look for rust and fraying on the cable, and raise and lower the keel if the boat is on the trailer or in the water.

The rig

• Standing rigging age (many riggers replace stainless wire at ten to fifteen years on a cruising boat)
• Cracks in the swaged fittings at the bottom of each shroud
• Chainplates and the mast step for leaks and corrosion
• A straight mast when you sight up it

Deck core

Walk the deck and tap around the stanchions, chainplates and mast step with a plastic hammer. A dull thud means wet core. See fiberglass boat problems.

The engine

Most 22s and 25s use an outboard; check its compression, gearcase oil and the telltale stream.¹² Some 27s have an inboard, either a gasoline Atomic 4 or a small diesel. See our Atomic 4 guide and used outboard guide.

The trailer

For trailer sailers, check the frame for rust, the bunks, bearings, brakes, lights and tires (look at the date codes), and make sure the trailer's title comes with the sale.

Sails

On boats this age, the sails are probably old. Unroll them on a calm day and look for brittle cloth, failed stitching and a worn-out sun cover. Price new ones in.

Questions to ask the seller

• When were the keel cable, pivot pin and winch last replaced? (22 and 25)
• How old is the standing rigging?
• How old are the sails, and who made them?
• How many hours on the engine, and when was it last serviced?
• Is the trailer titled, and when were the bearings last done?

The full sailboat checklist

For rudder play, chainplates, the keel joint and the sea trial under sail, use our used sailboat checklist.

Common questions

Is a Catalina 22 a good first sailboat?

It's one of the most common learner boats: forgiving, easy to trailer and supported by an active owners' community. Check the swing keel hardware first.

What's the difference between the Catalina 22, 25 and 27?

Mostly size and comfort. The 22 is a trailer sailer for learning and lakes, the 25 adds cabin space for overnights, and the 27 is a small weekend cruiser, often with an inboard.

How much should I spend fixing up a small Catalina?

As little as possible beyond safety, sails and the keel hardware. Upgrades rarely come back when you sell. Spend the money on lessons and sailing instead.