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Cape Dory 22
Designer: Carl Alberg  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Cape Dory 22

Built by Cape Dory Yachts during their heyday of producing quality small cruisers, this 22-footer exemplifies the builder's commitment to traditional design and solid construction. Cape Dory earned a sterling reputation among sailors seeking seaworthy boats that punched above their weight class, and the 22 continues that legacy. Like other Cape Dory models, this boat features classic lines reminiscent of traditional working craft, with a full keel design that provides excellent tracking and directional stability. The robust construction typical of Cape Dory builds makes this vessel suitable for coastal cruising and weekend adventures, offering more capability than many boats in its size range. The spacious cockpit accommodates day sailing with family or friends, while the cabin provides basic overnight accommodations for extended cruising. Cape Dory's attention to detail and quality hardware throughout the boat contributes to its reputation for reliability and longevity. This model appeals to sailors who appreciate traditional aesthetics combined with practical cruising ability. While not designed for racing, the Cape Dory 22 offers the kind of honest sailing characteristics and solid feel underfoot that has made the builder's boats sought-after in the used market for decades.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$4,300 – $8,000
typical asking price
Median $6,000  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$4,300 – $8,000 3
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.33 ft / 6.81 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 16.25 ft / 4.95 m
Beam 7.33 ft / 2.23 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Displacement 3,200.00 lb / 1,451 kg
Ballast 1,400.00 lb / 635 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Alberg
Builder Cape Dory Yachts (USA)
First Built 1981
Last Built 1985
Number Built 176
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
282
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
43.75
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
332.92
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.55 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 17.73
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 240.00 ft² / 22.30 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 332.92
How It Compares

vs. Alberg 23, Hunter 22 Fixed Keel, Pearson 22, Tanzer 22, Typhoon Sr Cape Dory

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cape Dory 22 ★
22.3 ft
Alberg 23
22.5 ft
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
22.3 ft
Pearson 22
22.3 ft
Tanzer 22
22.5 ft
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
22.4 ft
LWL
Cape Dory 22 ★
16.3 ft
Alberg 23
16.3 ft
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
18.3 ft
Pearson 22
18.5 ft
Tanzer 22
19.8 ft
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
16.5 ft
Beam
Cape Dory 22 ★
7.3 ft
Alberg 23
7.0 ft
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
7.9 ft
Pearson 22
7.8 ft
Tanzer 22
7.8 ft
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
7.4 ft
Displacement
Cape Dory 22 ★
3 lbs
Alberg 23
3 lbs
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
3 lbs
Pearson 22
2 lbs
Tanzer 22
2 lbs
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
3 lbs
Ballast
Cape Dory 22 ★
1 lbs
Alberg 23
1 lbs
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
1 lbs
Pearson 22
1 lbs
Tanzer 22
1 lbs
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
1 lbs
Sail Area
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
250 sq ft
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
219 sq ft
Pearson 22
218 sq ft
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
245 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cape Dory 22 ★
282 s/nm
Alberg 23
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
Pearson 22
252 s/nm
Tanzer 22
246 s/nm
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
17.9
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
15.5
Pearson 22
18.5
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
17.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cape Dory 22 ★
43.8 %
Alberg 23
41.8 %
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
41.2 %
Pearson 22
Tanzer 22
43.1 %
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
51.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
21.4
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
17.1
Pearson 22
13.4
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
19.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
1.87
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
2.11
Pearson 22
2.26
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
2.00
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cape Dory 22 ★
332
Alberg 23
348
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
246
Pearson 22
Tanzer 22
168
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
327
Hull Speed
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
5.4 kts
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
5.7 kts
Pearson 22
5.8 kts
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
5.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cape Dory 22 ★
Alberg 23
1.5
Hunter 22 Fixed Keel
2.1
Pearson 22
3.1
Tanzer 22
Typhoon Sr Cape Dory
1.6
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