Alberg earned a reputation for designing extremely seaworthy sailboats. Some sailors who now cruise the larger Alberg 30 and 37 began with this compact design.
Design and Construction
The Alberg 22 is built predominantly of fiberglass, with a fixed long keel and a keel-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller. The hull has a raked stem and raised transom. Teak handrails, toe rails, and other wooden trim dress the deck.
The boat displaces 3,200 pounds, including 1,540 pounds of ballast, for a ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 48 percent. Its overall length is 22 feet, with a 16-foot waterline, 7-foot beam, and 3.08-foot draft. This weight and full-keel configuration give the Alberg 22 a manner noted for handling like a larger boat than its length suggests.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Alberg 22 carries a masthead Bermuda sloop rig, with 235 square feet of total sail area. That includes a 114-square-foot mainsail and a 121-square-foot jib or genoa. Fitted equipment includes genoa tracks and winches, along with a halyard winch.
The high ballast ratio and long keel make for easy steering and relatively good comfort when cruising. Reviewers describe the boat as heeling fairly easily at first, then reaching a point where it locks in and goes. The full keel and high ballast-to-displacement ratio suggest that the design should be able to handle some rough conditions.
The Alberg 22 has a PHRF average handicap of 282, with a recorded high of 276 and low of 288. Hull speed is 5.36 knots. One reviewer noted a trade-off: the keel isn't deep enough to take a big enough bite for strong close-hauled performance.
Accommodations
Below, the Alberg 22 sleeps four in a forward V-berth and two quarter berths. The galley has a sink with a water pump and a removable icebox. The lazarette provides space for the fuel tank.
In a period review, one observer called the boat very good for weekend cruising, though it may become a bit crowded if you bring the kids along. The full-keel hull has the proportions of a classic sailboat.
Auxiliary Power
For docking and maneuvering, the Alberg 22 is normally fitted with a small outboard of up to 6 horsepower. It sits in a transom well in the lazarette, where it’s easier to reach and avoids propeller cavitation in all but the choppiest seas.
Verdict
The Alberg 22 is a compact Carl Alberg design that punches above its length, offering the steering feel and rough-water poise of a much larger full-keel cruiser. It suits weekend cruising and can serve as a stepping stone toward the Alberg 30 and 37. Its simple masthead rig and easily serviced outboard well add practical appeal.
There are compromises. The shallow long keel limits windward ability, and the compact interior can feel tight with a family aboard. Production was limited to 180 boats.
Pros
- Handles like a larger boat because of its weight and full keel
- High ballast ratio contributes to stability and cruising comfort
- Outboard well provides easy engine access and limits cavitation
- Easy helm and Carl Alberg’s seaworthy design lineage
Cons
- Shallow keel restricts close-hauled performance
- Accommodations become crowded with children aboard
- Limited to four berths in a 22-foot hull
