Design and Construction
The Aira 22 is a compact monohull measuring 6.50 meters overall, with a 2.20-meter beam and a displacement of 700 kilograms. Its hull and deck are both built of solid fiberglass.
A profiled shaft keel carries a lead bulb containing 250 kilograms of ballast, while the rudder blade has a similarly profiled shape. The wide stern was chosen for good broad-wind sailing characteristics, and the inward-lined, not too large jib allows the boat to sail high upwind.
Aira Boats developed three versions:
- ClubSailer: Intended for clubs, sailing schools, and rental fleets. It can be fitted with a robust rubber boat strake and rubberized nose to withstand training use. Gear is stored beneath the cockpit seats and in the forward cabin.
- DaySailer: Set up for relaxed family sailing, with additional comfort and optional overnight accommodations.
- MatchRacer: Stripped of its engine and tuned for racing, with a 25-square-meter gennaker system.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The fractional sloop rig carries a 14-square-meter mainsail and an 8-square-meter jib. A 25-square-meter gennaker is available for wider courses, bringing the total sail area to nearly 237 square feet.
The modern lines and long waterline produce optimal sailing characteristics. The Aira 22 is very stable, even upwind, and responds quickly like a boat of today.
The gennaker brings one specific handling limitation: with the sail set, the boat can’t tack and must instead jibe. On rental-fleet boats, a furler fitted to the retractable bowsprit addresses this by allowing the crew to furl the gennaker before the maneuver and reset it afterward.
The MatchRacer comes without an engine but includes the gennaker system. The DaySailer can be ordered with a 1.5 kW electric drive that deploys in seven seconds.
Cockpit and Accommodations
The cockpit bench seats everyone comfortably and comes with cushions. The DaySailer adds padded backrests and a swivel table. Options include a cockpit tarpaulin, a slatted frame for the cabin, and a 2 x 1.40 meter air mattress. Together, these can turn the daysailer into a modest overnighter for in-between pleasure.
The boat carries a CE category D rating for six people and is eminently suitable for sailing with friends and family, including parents and children, in crews of two to six. At 6.50 meters and easy to trailer, it combines small-boat convenience with genuine room for a crew.
Known Issues
The only documented handling constraint concerns the gennaker. With that sail flying, the boat can’t tack and must jibe; the bowsprit furler is intended to make that maneuver more manageable.
The Verdict
The Aira 22 is a clever Dutch design that combines the roles of daysailer, sport boat, and trainer in one trailerable hull. Simonis-Voogd gave it a long waterline, a wide stern, a lead-bulb keel, and a profiled rudder, creating a modern and stable package. The three-version approach gives clubs, families, and racers distinct choices.
Its limits are few and specific. The gennaker requires jibing rather than tacking, while the MatchRacer does without an engine. The smallest details of range depend on the chosen version and power option.
Pros
- Versatile three-in-one role as daysailer, sport boat, and training vessel
- Stable upwind, with modern lines and a long waterline
- Lead-bulb keel and profiled rudder
- Solid-fiberglass hull and deck
- Easy to trailer at 6.50 meters
- Comfortable cockpit for as many as six people
Cons
- The boat can’t tack with the gennaker set; jibing is required
- The MatchRacer version omits the engine entirely
