Design and Construction
The Invader 22 is 22 feet overall, with an 8-foot beam and a solid fiberglass hull and deck. Thames Marine offered different keel alternatives to suit different cruising grounds. The fin-keel version draws about 3.74 to 4.04 feet, depending on load. The bilge-keel version reduces draft to roughly 2.66 to 2.96 feet, allowing the boat to settle into shallow marinas that deeper rivals cannot reach.
A 42 percent ballast ratio and a length-to-beam ratio of 2.71 describe a beamy, moderately proportioned hull rather than a slender racer. Wetted surface is about 172 square feet.
Rig and Handling
The Invader 22 carries a masthead sloop rig, with standing and running rigging dimensions fully documented for the standard sail plan. Jib and genoa sheets are 22 feet long and use 3/8-inch line. The mainsheet is a 55-foot run, also in 3/8-inch line, while the spinnaker sheets measure 48.4 feet.
With the Vire 7 engine, calculated maximum speed under power is about 4.3 knots. The theoretical displacement-hull speed is 5.8 knots. A DL-ratio of 258 places the boat among moderate racers, while its Motion Comfort Ratio of 18.9 and immersion rate of 536 pounds per inch point to a stiff, settled small-boat feel.
Accommodations
Below deck, the Invader 22 has a single cabin with a 2+1 berth arrangement, along with a galley and toilet facility. This gives a couple with a child or an occasional guest a self-contained pocket cruiser—an unusual package in a 22-footer of this era. The simple cabin plan is serviceable rather than ambitious.
Performance Envelope and Safety
The Invader 22 has a capsize screening value of 2.05, which indicates that it wouldn’t be accepted for ocean racing. Taken with the moderate-racer DL categorization and comfort ratio, the figures describe a stable inshore and coastal design with a stiff, settled small-boat feel. They also signal the boat’s limits more honestly than marketing language could.
The Verdict
The Invader 22 is a thoughtfully specified small cruiser. Its choice of keel configurations, documented rig dimensions, and complete weekend accommodations make it a practical entry into trailerable or shallow-water sailing. The published ratios describe a stable, comfort-oriented hull, but one that isn’t suited to offshore racing.
Pros
- Choice of fin or bilge keel for shallow-water access
- Full cabin, 2+1 berths, galley, and head within 22 feet
- Solid fiberglass construction and documented rig specifications
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.05 excludes ocean-race eligibility
- Modest powered speed of around 4.3 knots with the Vire 7
