PT-22 1/4 Ton (Plas Trend 22) Information, Review, Specs

The story of the PT-22 begins in 1969, reflecting the builder Plastrend's founding vision to produce fast and tough sailing vessels, 10, 14]. Headed by passionate sailor Andy Green, Plastrend quickly gained a reputation for leveraging emerging composite construction methods to create performance-oriented designs. The PT-22 1/4 Ton was the brainchild of Martin Bludworth, a notable sailmaker and boat designer, who reportedly drew inspiration from the successful Cal 20 design, extending its principles to create the Mustang 22. Plastrend actively promoted the Mustang 22, even participating in Yachting Magazine's "One-of-a-Kind" regatta, underscoring their belief in its competitive potential. The boat features a keel/centerboard configuration combined with a spade rudder, a design choice that offers both performance and flexibility in varying depths. During its production era, Plastrend itself underwent transformations, evolving into Composite Technologies and later Island Yacht Corp., though its core ethos of durable, high-performance construction persisted.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a 1/4 ton racer, the Plas Trend 22 was designed to be a spirited performer, a characteristic aligned with Plastrend's reputation for building fast and tough boats. The 1/4 Ton class, popular in the 1970s, focused on competitive keelboat racing, suggesting the PT-22 was engineered for agility and speed on the racecourse. With a length overall of 22 feet and a waterline length of 17 feet, it offers a relatively long waterline for its size, contributing to its hull speed of approximately 5.52 knots. The combination of a keel/centerboard and a spade rudder provides both directional stability and excellent maneuverability, allowing for adjustable draft from 2.33 feet to 5.0 feet. This versatile draft makes the PT-22 suitable for both shallow-water exploration and more serious sailing, while the spade rudder offers precise control, a desirable trait for a racing-oriented vessel.

Accommodations and Layout

Consistent with its design as a 1/4 ton racer and daysailer, the Plas Trend 22's interior is generally understood to be functional and relatively minimalistic. While specific detailed layouts are scarce in available information, the design typically prioritizes space for sailing equipment and basic overnighting capabilities rather than extensive cruising amenities. Given its 22-foot length and the common practices for boats of this class and era, the interior would likely feature a V-berth forward, possibly with some basic seating or storage in a small main cabin area. Headroom, as is typical for boats of this size and vintage, would be limited. The emphasis would be on efficient use of space, providing shelter and basic comforts for a crew, allowing the boat's primary focus to remain on its sailing performance.