Design and Construction
The Fox Terrier 22 was designed by Tony Dixon and launched head to head with the Sonata in the late 1970s, though sales of the Dixon-designed Terrier suffered as a consequence of that rivalry. Copland Boats built the hull in fibreglass, and the model carried an obtrusive lifting keel box as a defining interior feature. Fin and bilge keels were offered as options, and the documented draft is about 4.00 - 4.30 ft dependent on load, giving the hull real shoal-water flexibility.
Rig and Handling
The boat is built with a fractional rig, and the documented sheet specifications give a practical sense of its deck layout: the mainsheet runs about 16.8 m with 10 mm diameter, while jib and genoa sheets are listed at 6.7 m and the spinnaker sheet at 14.8 m. Its displacement of 2,650 lb and DL-ratio of 164 place it among "light racers," with 66% of similar designs categorized as heavier. The capsize screening value of 2.36 means the design would not be accepted to participate in ocean races, but the builder's stated theoretical maximal speed of 5.9 knots and suitability for shoal-draught, fast cruising define its real temperament.
Accommodations
Inside, the Fox Terrier 22 provides four berths and 5 ft 3 in of headroom, but she lacked the spacious accommodation of her rival the Sonata. The lifting keel box intrudes on the cabin, and reviewers note the interior volume is modest compared with competitors of the era. The l/b ratio of 2.70 does mean the design is more spacy than 69% of all other similar designs, yet the lived experience below decks remains constrained by the small footprint.
Known Issues
One recurring concern is that the decor and interior furnishings have struggled to withstand the test of time, a flat observation from period review material. Prospective owners and current stewards are also advised to check shroud plates as a specific point of attention. These are the two documented durability and structure watch-items carried in the record.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership considerations center on the optional keel choice and the lift-keel box structure, since the box shapes any interior refit. The 45% ballast ratio—higher than 76% of similar sailboat designs—and 12.3 Motion Comfort Ratio (more comfortable than 34% of similar designs) speak to a stable little hull, but the 550 lbs/inch immersion rate means load changes noticeably affect trim.
The Verdict
The Fox Terrier 22 is a Dixon-designed, Copland-built small sailboat with genuine shoal-draught cruising ability and a light-racer profile, but it stands in the shadow of the Sonata for both sales history and interior space. For a buyer who values a fibreglass fractional sloop with a lifting keel and honest performance numbers, it remains worth a second look despite time-worn interiors.
Pros
- Fractional rig with documented sheet specs for easy rigging
- Shoal-draught flexibility via lifting keel and optional fin/bilge keels
- High ballast ratio relative to similar designs
- Light-racer categorization with 5.9-knot theoretical speed
Cons
- Interior furnishings have not aged well
- Shroud plates need inspection
- Less spacious than rival Sonata
- Not suited to ocean racing by capsize screen
