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Sunshine 22
Designer: Scott Kaufman  ·  Builder: Sail Craft Ltd.  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Sunshine 22

A compact and approachable daysailer, the Sunshine 22 is designed with accessibility in mind, making it a strong candidate for sailors who are stepping into boat ownership for the first time or looking for an easygoing coastal companion. Its modest size lends itself naturally to sheltered bays, inland lakes, and calm coastal waters, where short cruises and weekend outings are the order of the day. While detailed specifications for the Sunshine 22 are limited, boats in this size range typically prioritize simplicity and ease of handling over offshore capability, suggesting this is a vessel built for relaxed sailing rather than demanding bluewater passages. Its manageable scale means docking, trailering, and general maintenance are unlikely to overwhelm a small crew or solo sailor. The Sunshine 22 would appeal to those who value getting on the water without the complexity that comes with larger cruising boats. Whether introducing family members to sailing or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon sail, this little boat appears well suited to a lifestyle where the journey matters more than the destination.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 22.75 ft / 6.93 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 18.04 ft / 5.50 m
Beam 8.16 ft / 2.49 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 2,420.00 lb / 1,098 kg
Ballast 990.00 lb / 449 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 227.00 ft² / 21.09 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG balsa cored hull & deck
Designer Scott Kaufman
Builder Sail Craft Ltd.
First Built 1979
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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
20.2
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
11.73
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.43
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.69
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. 525.98
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 23 2, First 22 Beneteau, J/22, Oday 23 2, Venture Of Newport 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sunshine 22 ★
22.8 ft
Ericson 23 2
22.9 ft
First 22 Beneteau
22.8 ft
J/22
22.6 ft
Oday 23 2
22.8 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
22.6 ft
LWL
Sunshine 22 ★
18.0 ft
Ericson 23 2
19.5 ft
First 22 Beneteau
18.0 ft
J/22
19.0 ft
Oday 23 2
19.5 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
19.5 ft
Beam
Sunshine 22 ★
8.2 ft
Ericson 23 2
7.9 ft
First 22 Beneteau
8.2 ft
J/22
8.0 ft
Oday 23 2
7.9 ft
Venture Of Newport 23
7.2 ft
Displacement
Sunshine 22 ★
2 lbs
Ericson 23 2
3 lbs
First 22 Beneteau
2 lbs
J/22
1 lbs
Oday 23 2
3 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
2 lbs
Ballast
Sunshine 22 ★
990 lbs
Ericson 23 2
1 lbs
First 22 Beneteau
926 lbs
J/22
875 lbs
Oday 23 2
1 lbs
Venture Of Newport 23
600 lbs
Sail Area
Sunshine 22 ★
227 sq ft
Ericson 23 2
First 22 Beneteau
J/22
212 sq ft
Oday 23 2
Venture Of Newport 23
195 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sunshine 22 ★
20.2
Ericson 23 2
First 22 Beneteau
J/22
27.7
Oday 23 2
Venture Of Newport 23
19.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sunshine 22 ★
Ericson 23 2
38.7 %
First 22 Beneteau
38.2 %
J/22
48.9 %
Oday 23 2
35.0 %
Venture Of Newport 23
30.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sunshine 22 ★
11.7
Ericson 23 2
First 22 Beneteau
J/22
13.9
Oday 23 2
Venture Of Newport 23
11.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sunshine 22 ★
2.43
Ericson 23 2
First 22 Beneteau
J/22
1.95
Oday 23 2
Venture Of Newport 23
2.28
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sunshine 22 ★
Ericson 23 2
186
First 22 Beneteau
184
J/22
45
Oday 23 2
206
Venture Of Newport 23
120
Hull Speed
Sunshine 22 ★
5.7 kts
Ericson 23 2
First 22 Beneteau
J/22
5.8 kts
Oday 23 2
Venture Of Newport 23
5.9 kts
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