What is the Cal 22's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Cal 22 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 21.81. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Cal 22's comfort ratio?

The Cal 22 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 10.47. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Cal 22 safe for offshore sailing?

The Cal 22 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.42. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Cal 22?

The theoretical hull speed of the Cal 22 is 5.92 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Cal 22 weigh?

The Cal 22 has a displacement of 2,100.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 22.00 ft.

How much does a used Cal 22 cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used Cal 22 sailboats typically sell for between $3,800 and $3,800, with a median asking price of $3,800. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Cal 22?

The Cal 22 was designed by C. R. Hunt Assoc., first built in 1984.

Cal 22 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Cal 22 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

5.9 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 19.5′, the Cal 22 tops out around 5.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √19.5′ LWL = 5.9 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

PHRF Rating

246s/nm

Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.

SA / Displacement

21.8

Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.

Ballast / Displacement

36.9%

Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.

Displacement / Length

126

Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.

Comfort Ratio

10.5

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Capsize Screening

2.42

Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.

Hull Speed

5.9kts

S# (Speed Number)

4.5

Pounds/Inch Immersion

540lbs

Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.

Motion & Offshore Suitability

Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.

Comfort Ratio

10.5

Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

2.42

Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.

Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore

Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Cal 22 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser 150–210

Heavy Cruiser 210–300

Merit 22 213s/nm

Buccaneer 220 228s/nm

Cal 22 246s/nm Heavy or slow cruiser — all about the journey, not the elapsed time.

Starwind 22 273s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail	6 kts TWS	10 kts TWS	15 kts TWS	20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50°	2.7	3.4	3.8	3.9
Close Reach60°	3.2	4.1	4.6	4.8
Beam Reach90°	4.0	5.0	5.6	6.1
Broad Reach120–135°	3.7	4.6	5.2	5.6
Run150–180°	2.9	3.7	4.2	4.3

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.9 kts), SA/D (21.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cal 22 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–6 kts 6–18 kts 18–26 kts 26+ kts

Ghosting

0–6 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

6–18 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

18–26 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

26+ kts

Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cal 22.

	Cal 22	Buccaneer 220	Merit 22	S2 69	Starwind 22	Venture 222
Dimensions
LOA	22.0	22.0	22.0	22.0	22.0	22.0
LWL	19.5	19.3	18.0	18.8	19.0	18.2
Beam	7.8	7.9	8.0	8.0	7.8	7.3
Displacement	2	2	2	2	2	2
Ballast	775	950	600	770	775	500
Sail Area	223	202	227	228	—	177
Performance
PHRF	246	228	213	—	273	—
SA/Disp	21.8	17.8	22.9	21.6	—	17.9
Bal/Disp	36.9	38.8	—	35.0	29.8	—
Comfort	10.5	12.0	10.1	10.8	—	11.3
Capsize	2.42	2.35	2.54	2.46	—	2.33
Hull Speed	5.9	5.9	5.7	5.8	—	5.7