Design and Construction
Thames Marine built the Invader 22 with both hull and deck in solid fiberglass, and the yard offered the model with different keel alternatives to suit varying cruising grounds. A fin-keel version draws about 3.74 to 4.04 feet depending on load, while the bilge-keel option reduces that to roughly 2.66 to 2.96 feet, letting the boat settle into shallow marinas that deeper rivals cannot reach different keel alternatives. The 42 percent ballast ratio and a length-to-beam ratio of 2.71 describe a beamy, moderately proportioned hull rather than a slender racer, and the wetted surface measures about 172 square feet.
Rig and Handling
The Invader 22 is rigged as a masthead sloop, and the standing and running rigging dimensions are fully documented for the standard sail plan. Jib and genoa sheets run 22 feet in length on 3/8-inch line, the mainsheet is a long 55-foot run also in 3/8-inch, and spinnaker sheets measure 48.4 feet mainsheet length. Under power with the Vire 7 engine the calculated maximum speed is about 4.3 knots, while her theoretical displacement-hull speed reaches 5.8 knots. The DL-ratio of 258 places her among moderate racers, and the Motion Comfort Ratio of 18.9 with an immersion rate of 536 pounds per inch speaks to a stiff, settled small-boat feel.
Accommodations
Below, the Invader 22 is laid out with one cabin and a 2+1 berth arrangement, supported by a galley and a toilet facility. That package gives a couple with a child or occasional guest a self-contained pocket cruiser, unusual in a 22-footer of this era. The single-cabin plan keeps the interior simple and serviceable rather than ambitious.
Performance Envelope and Safety
The capsize screening value for the Invader 22 is 2.05, a figure that indicates the boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races capsize screening value. Combined with the moderate-racer DL categorization and the comfort ratio, the numbers describe a stable inshore and coastal design whose limits are honestly signaled by the data rather than by marketing.
The Verdict
The Invader 22 is a thoughtfully specified small cruiser whose interchangeable keel options, documented rig dimensions, and complete weekend accommodations make her a practical entry to trailerable or shallow-water sailing. The published ratios show a stable, comfort-oriented hull that is not suited to offshore racing.
Pros
- Choice of fin or bilge keel for shallow-water access
- Full cabin, 2+1 berths, galley, and head in 22 feet
- Solid fiberglass construction with documented rig specs
Cons
- Capsize screening of 2.05 excludes ocean-race eligibility
- Modest powered speed around 4.3 knots with the Vire 7
