Fox Terrier 22 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Copland Boats built the Fox Terrier 22 in fiberglass with a solid hull. A fin keel was standard, while fin and bilge keels were optional. The lifting-keel version has an obtrusive box amidships that intrudes into the cabin—a structural compromise made for access to shallow water rather than interior elegance.

The boat measures 22 ft 1 in overall and 19 ft 4 in on the waterline, with a beam of 8 ft 2 in. She displaces 2,650 lb and carries 1,200 lb of lead ballast. That gives her a ballast ratio of 45 percent, higher than 76 percent of comparable designs.

Her length-to-beam ratio of 2.70 makes her beamier than 69 percent of similar boats. A displacement-length ratio of 164 places her among the “light racers” of her size, with two-thirds of comparable designs rating heavier.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The Fox Terrier 22 has a fractional rig and a transom-hung rudder. Her running-rigging dimensions follow a familiar small-boat pattern: jib and genoa sheets run about 22 feet at 3/8 inch diameter, while the mainsheet is 55 feet and the spinnaker sheet 49 feet, both in 10 mm line. The estimated mainsheet length for the Fox Terrier 22 is 16.8 m.

Draft is roughly 4 feet loaded, dropping toward 1 foot with the lifting arrangement and giving the boat genuine shoal-draught capability. Yachting Monthly judged her not quite as sharp a performer as the Sonata, but well suited to shoal-draught, fast cruising.

Her theoretical displacement hull speed is 5.9 knots. A capsize screening value of 2.36 means she wouldn’t be accepted to participate in ocean races. The Motion Comfort Ratio of 12.3 makes her more comfortable than only 34 percent of similar designs, while an immersion rate of 550 lb per inch describes a lightly loaded hull that responds quickly to crew and payload.

Accommodation

Below, the Fox Terrier 22 has four berths and 5 ft 3 in of headroom, but she lacks the spacious accommodation of the Sonata. The beamy hull suggests roominess on paper, yet the lifting-keel box takes up usable floor area, and cabin volume was never one of the boat’s strongest selling points.

She is better viewed as a weekender than a camp-cruiser. The comparison with the Sonata’s interior remains the clearest measure of her limitations.

Known Issues

The décor and interior furnishings have struggled to withstand the test of time because of the original materials rather than abuse by owners.

The shroud plates also require attention. Period guidance advised buyers to check the shroud plates, as these chainplate attachments are a known stress point on a lightly built 22-footer, and fatigue there can lead to rig failure.

Neither concern is structural to the hull itself, but both directly affect the cost of keeping a Fox Terrier 22 safe and presentable.

Ownership and Market Context

Sales of the Dixon-designed Terrier suffered because the Sonata performed more strongly in the market. Copland’s range also included the Copland 28 cruiser, the 24 ft Foxhound, and the 20 ft Harrier, but the Terrier never became a volume seller.

For owners, that means a small fleet and limited choice on the second-hand market. It is also a simple, light boat with systems that are easy to understand. Her light-racer pedigree and high ballast ratio reward careful loading and an honest look at the chainplates.

The Verdict

The Fox Terrier 22 is a specialized, shoal-draught lightweight with a high ballast ratio and a beamy hull. Her main compromises are a cramped, time-worn interior and a lifting-keel box that takes up valuable cabin space.

She suits a sailor looking for a fast coastal cruiser who values draft flexibility over creature comforts—and who is prepared to inspect the rig attachments before committing.

Pros