Anderson 22 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

By the early 1970s, the Anderson 22 was already being described as the definitive tough, miniature offshore cruiser. Bob Salmon, founder of the Mini Transat, campaigned one, which says something about the serious small-boat pedigree behind this 2,500-pound weekender.

Design and Construction

The Anderson 22 is heavily built and, in the words of one period review, virtually indestructible. That reputation fits its billing as a tough miniature offshore cruiser. It was finished to a high standard inside and out, while the efficient, well-thought-out interior remains attractive. Foldaway fittings allow the cabins to serve several purposes.

Displacement is 2,500 pounds on a 19-foot-3-inch waterline. Beam is 7 feet 7 inches, and 900 pounds of iron gives a 36-percent ballast ratio. These figures help explain the steadiness that owners and reviewers attribute to the design.

The lifting-keel design is the boat’s defining feature. It allows the Anderson 22 to be towed or kept in a drying harbour. When raised, however, the keel remains partly outside the hull—the trade-off for that shallow-water versatility.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The Anderson 22 carries a modest fractional sloop rig with 199 square feet of sail. The manufacturer described the boat as extremely fast for its size and said it had proved a strong contender in several small competitions. According to the same source, it is quick enough to race yet comfortable and safe enough for family use, supporting its reputation as an all-rounder.

A period review tempers that enthusiasm slightly, noting that performance is average provided the wind isn’t light. That is the candid caveat for a boat with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 17.

The lifting keel suits shallow-water sailing and cheaper drying moorings. It also broadens the boat’s practical role, from club events to family cruising, without requiring a second trailer-sailer in the fleet.

Accommodation

The Anderson 22 offers comfortable accommodation large enough for a family. The base arrangement is described as having two berths, although the layout is also cited as four-berth, with 3 to 4 berths overall depending on configuration. Some owners have had three or four adults aboard, and the manufacturer suggested that a family or couple could stay aboard for a sailing holiday.

Headroom below isn’t generous, so the interior succeeds through clever use of limited volume rather than spacious quarters. A rudimentary galley and chart table surround the keel-lifting mechanism—an unusual but practical way to package the hardware. Foldaway interior pieces make the cabin multifunctional without leaving it feeling makeshift. The cockpit is also a good size for day sailing.

Drying Out

The one documented quirk worth knowing is that the Anderson 22 doesn’t dry out level except in soft mud. This is a direct consequence of the lifting keel remaining partly exposed when raised. Soft mud is the only stated exception to this behaviour ashore.

Refits and Ownership

As a reasonably priced small sailing boat, the Anderson 22 makes an ideal family starter boat. Its rugged construction suggests routine upkeep rather than constant repair.

The efficient layout and foldaway interior allow owners to adapt the cabin for cruising or day sailing without major modification. The lifting keel’s simplicity also keeps trailer use and life on a drying mooring uncomplicated.

The Verdict

The Anderson 22 is a genuinely quick little sloop that combines racing credibility with family-cruising safety. Its heavily built hull earned a reputation as a miniature offshore cruiser, while its lifting keel is the key feature. The compromise is an uneven stance when drying out, except in soft mud; the reward is the freedom to tow the boat and keep it on a drying mooring.

Pros