Chrysler Sailors Forum

I'm pretty sure I explained about the teen-dream of sailing to distant lands. LOL, actually most of us have probably shared that dream back and forth for years without knowing it.

Now, I don't believe that a C-22 is a likely candidate for a trans-atlantic or a circumnavigation, but the thought has crossed my mind that I might like to spend a month or so this winter down in the Caribbean.

I have family in Jacksonville NC and in Tampa FL who could hold my trailer pending my return. Could a C-22 safely passage to Bermuda, Bahama, Turks, or even the Yucatan?

That is a pretty subjective question you have going there.
If the weather was good and the captain plus crew were experienced and capable . . . Sure!

However,
Keep in mind the C22 was built more as a coastal or lake sailor. Very special considerations would need to be considered. Like beefing up the stays and shrouds chainplates, a looksy at the rudder design and condition, and also what to do about a swing keel. I'd hate to think what that swing keel would do in 10 foot square seas in the Gulf Stream should you miscalculate the crossing.

Again, anything can be done. People have crossed bigger bodies of water in less.

I'm not sure I'd do it it however I have other options available to me! LOL!
Scott

Wow Leatherneck!! I'm still dreaming of sailing on a lake where I don't have to tack every 5 minutes!!!! But...dreams are what realities are made of!

Vic

That's what I'd like to do with my 26' - sail across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas - would want some way to lock the keel down though.

sailbob2, I don't remember where I saw this, but I saw a sketch where someone had replaced the rope/chain that pulled up their keel with a solid bar that could be latched down.

Bear in mind, I haven't even set eyes on my boat yet, but what are the chances a person could drill a hole through the area of the swivel pin and put another pin there to lock the keel down? Then you could pull it when you want that shoal draft.

On locking down keel an rudder on a C-22. You may wont to taKE a look at the Macgergor, my mac. has holes to add another bolt to the keel an rudder. My mac. has the same layout as the C-22 only in reverse, an a much larger cockpit. There I go agin, using a Chrysler Forum to post info about a Mac. ( sorry) but if it is help full I post it. I too would like to sail off to the sun set an just keep going. One thing about a (not to pricy boat) is if you need to get back fast just sale the boat for a buck or two an fly home.

Had my c20 in 40mph winds and lake totaly white caped. Sailing under a reefed main only with no problems. Felt very solid and never knocked down. Now I understand it not the same as large swells but the boat seems to be able to take quite a bit. I had a mac 24 at one time and I could not control the boat under the same conditions, That was a scary ride that day.

Not by any stretch of the imagination am I a blue water sailor, but there are some things I would do to the 22 before sailing off into the sunset, in addition to securing the keel. I would make sure that the portlights are very sturdy, possibly install some different ones. If it's a pop top, I would make provisions to keep it locked down very tight. The cockpit locker fasteners would probably need to be beefed up, you sure wouldn't want one to get knocked open in weather. I would probably install some sort of gasket in the cockpit locker hatches as well so they won't leak (I'm actually thinking of doing that anyway). The forward hatch would probably need to be locked down with something sturdier than that one little bolt as well. I would definitely make sure the rudder blade is in tip top condition, and would want to replace the entire aluminum rudder post/cheek assembly with stainless steel (I'm having one made right now, will post pics when it's done!). I wouldn't want to go way out on blue water with the original sails, especially the main. They were made with light material. Some nice, new, heavy Dacron sails would be in order for me. My cockpit bails rather slowly, that would have to be fixed. I would definitely have to invest a lot in safety equipment, and be prepared to install the companionway boards very quickly if nasty weather rides up. Just my $.02

in short - generally no.

as was said earlier .. with proper prep and training .... anything is possible and you may make history and be teh first to sail a c22 to the carib...

but this issue is well trodden territory. the general rule of thumb for blue water is 30 feet and fixed keel... there is also an issue about deck stepped masts too ( all strikes against the c22)

that being there is a guy here who sailed a c26 swing keel from Canada to Cuba ( I have the c26 fixed keel and I am in awe!)

-- but best get advice from someone who has done this ( which is certainly not me!)

I sailed a J-30 and there were a few that sailed the J30 to Bermuda and that was something..

Anything is possible. I was talking to a guy at the Chicago boat show a few years ago and he claimed that a swing keel Chrysler 22 sailed across the Atlantic. It was one of those a friend of a friend stories. So who knows? In 2007 I bare boated in the USVI and saw a Chrysler 22 anchored in Charlotte Amalie harbor. I don't know if it was a fixed or swing keel. I assumed it sailed there from the states. Buy maybe some were delivered to Puerto Rico?

Dan

There is a wealth of information on sailing small boats large distances at www.sailfar.net

You can find stories about MacGregors and similar boats going to Bimini at www.conchcruisers.net, although that particular group seems to coming apart.

Many boats smaller than 30' have circumnavigated, but I don't think I'd do it with a swing keel.

Have you sailed before? A month aboard such a small boat... yeah, good luck with that one.