Leisure 22 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Lineage

The Leisure 22 measures 22 ft overall on a waterline of nearly 20 ft, with a beam of 7 ft 10 in and a displacement of 3,300 lbs, of which 1,400 lbs sits in the keel for a high ballast ratio of 43 percent for stability. That high ballast fraction for a boat this size underpins a stated stability intent. The near-vertical stern is the quick visual tell against the later Leisure 23, which carries a reverse-counter stern; the 22 is the earlier, more upright-transomed boat. Both twin-keel and fin-keel versions left the mould, the twin drawing 2 ft 8 in and the fin 3 ft 11 in, with the bilge configuration letting the boat dry out upright on a beach.

Construction

The hull is a single moulded GRP piece for low maintenance, with interior mouldings and bulkheads bonded in to give the structure its rigidity. Cobramold built the boat with a fibreglass hull and a deck that is a balsa-sandwich — the core material is balsa, which the period review notes improves the indoor climate but demands care if any work penetrates the sandwich. Keels are cast iron, and the rudder and skeg are moulded GRP carrying steel framework and fittings. A teak rubbing strake protects the topsides, and moulded non-slip areas on deck give a secure footing going forward. The wetted surface is about 172 sq ft, and the immersion rate is a meaningful 544 lbs per inch.

Rig and Handling

She is a masthead sloop with gold-anodised aluminium spars, stainless steel standing rigging and rigging screws, and halyards run internally in the mast. The sail plan totals 215 sq ft under working sail, with a 105 sq ft mainsail and a 110 sq ft working jib, expanding to a 180 sq ft genoa and a 350 sq ft spinnaker for lighter or downwind work. Sheets are modest — 10 mm diameter throughout, with a 55 ft mainsheet and 22 ft jib and genoa sheets. The capsize screening value is 1.97, and the motion comfort ratio lands in the 15.9–19.3 band; the displacement-length ratio of 207 places her among "moderate racers" by one formula, though her real brief was family cruising at a theoretical hull speed near 6 knots. The deep cockpit shields crew from weather and keeps sailing dry, though seated helmsmen trade that comfort for forward vision.

Accommodations

Below, the Leisure 22 offers accommodation that the builder describes as very good for its length: five berths arranged as a dinette main saloon with a large fore cabin, plus a separate toilet compartment that shortens one forecabin berth. Headroom is 5 ft 8 in. Teak and teak veneers throughout give the cabin a warm character, and the standard galley carries a two-burner gas stove with a sink and freshwater pump. The layout is a practical small-cruiser compromise rather than a racer's bare interior.

Known Issues and Ownership Notes

The deep cockpit's protection comes at the expense of forward vision when seated — a real consideration in crowded anchorages. The balsa-cored deck demands caution with any penetration of the sandwich, since moisture intrusion to the core is the perennial risk of that construction. Standard auxiliary power was an 8–10 hp outboard, though some boats received an inboard petrol or diesel; an outboard of 4–5 hp or 80–97 lbs electric thrust is typical for docking. A 1988 club number and a 1978 recorded number are logged for twin-keel, inboard, three-blade examples, confirming that both propulsion paths exist in the wild.

The Verdict

The Leisure 22 is a thoughtfully laid-out small cruiser with a high ballast ratio, a practical twin- or fin-keel choice, and an interior that punches above its 22 feet for family use. The trade-offs are the seated forward sightline and the balsa deck's need for careful maintenance.

Pros