Maine Cat 22 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The genesis of the Maine Cat 22 marked an important early collaboration for Maine Cat, bringing together the burgeoning builder's vision with the esteemed expertise of Dick Newick, a designer renowned for his contributions to multihull yachting. Produced starting in 1994, the Maine Cat 22 was a limited-production model, with approximately 18 hulls built before Maine Cat shifted its focus to larger "liveaboard" designs. This makes the Maine Cat 22 a somewhat rare and significant piece of the company's nascent history.

Newick's design philosophy for the Maine Cat 22 aimed to combine performance-oriented catamaran features with practical comfort, resulting in a unique offering within its class. Maine Cat, under Dick Vermeulen's leadership, was already establishing its ethos of crafting high-performance, comfortable, and innovative cruising catamarans with a focus on low maintenance. The 22, with its fiberglass solid hull and deck construction, embodied this commitment to robust yet efficient boat building. A notable design feature is its folding system, which allows its broad 13-foot beam to be reduced to a more manageable 8.5 feet for trailering or dockage.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Despite its modest length overall of 22 feet, the Maine Cat 22 is engineered for a lively sailing experience. With a waterline length of 21.67 feet, it boasts a theoretical hull speed of 6.24 knots, indicative of a design optimized for efficiency through the water. As a fractional sloop with a reported sail area of 267 square feet, it is set up to be easily managed while providing ample power.

The boat's twin centerboards and dual rudders contribute significantly to its agility and control, allowing for good upwind performance and precise steering characteristics common to well-designed catamarans. Owners and reviewers have often described the Maine Cat 22 as a fast and enjoyable boat to sail, offering a dry ride even in more challenging conditions. Its light displacement of 1750 lbs, combined with a capable rig, suggests good performance in a range of wind conditions, aligning with Newick's reputation for designing spirited multihulls.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Maine Cat 22, while designed for "pragmatic comfort," reflects Maine Cat's pioneering "open design" concept, which sought to create a more integrated and expansive living space compared to traditional designs. Given its 22-foot length, the accommodations are functional and efficient, likely featuring a straightforward arrangement that maximizes the available volume within its twin hulls.

The builder's philosophy of eschewing traditional bulkheads between the cockpit and saloon areas on their larger models suggests a focus on flow and connection to the marine environment, which would undoubtedly be a design consideration even on the smaller 22. While specific details on the number of berths, galley amenities, or head configuration are not readily available, it can be inferred that the interior prioritizes versatility and open space for a boat of its size. The ability to fold the boat for trailering implies a practical approach to its overall design, including how the interior spaces are utilized.