At 22 feet overall, with a 19.5-foot waterline, the MacGregor 22 reflects the simple, narrow-beam approach of 1970s trailer-sailers. It displaces a light 1,800 pounds, including 500 pounds of iron ballast.
Design and Construction
The MacGregor 22 is built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim and positive foam flotation. Its hull has the straightforward lines typical of the era’s trailer-sailers: a relatively narrow beam, a light fiberglass layup, a raked stem, and a nearly plumb transom.
Compared with heavier cruisers of the same period, it has minimal structural reinforcement. The light layup can flex under stress, especially if the boat has been poorly maintained.
The swing keel allows the boat to operate in shallow water, be beached, and travel on a trailer. A folding, transom-hung rudder is controlled by a tiller; it’s easy to service and remove for trailering.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The boat carries a masthead sloop rig with a simple, easily managed arrangement, although Sailboat Guide describes it as a fractional sloop. An asymmetrical spinnaker may be fitted for downwind sailing.
Light displacement and the swing keel make the MacGregor 22 agile in light to moderate air. Period reviews praised its light displacement for delivering strong performance in those conditions, and it accelerates more quickly in light winds than heavier contemporaries. It can also reach respectable speeds for its size, particularly on a reach.
The tradeoff is that it lacks the stiffness and momentum of heavier 22-footers such as the Catalina 22. It feels tender in choppy or heavy seas and demands early reefing. Upwind performance is reasonable for casual sailing but won’t satisfy competitive racers. Its average PHRF racing handicap is 258.
Accommodations
According to a period assessment, the interior was designed to provide the best accommodation for the money in a boat of its size. It sleeps five, with a double V-berth in the bow cabin, a straight settee in the main cabin, and a double berth formed by lowering the dinette table.
The galley is on the port side by the companionway ladder and includes a two-burner stove and sink. Just aft of the bow cabin on the starboard side is an enclosed head.
A pop-top over the main cabin provides additional headroom, though standing space remains limited. The interior is basic, with molded fiberglass components and light plywood joinery. It’s best suited to short stays or cruising with minimal gear.
Known Issues
The MacGregor 22 provides adequate safety for coastal and inland waters but wasn’t designed for offshore passages.
The swing-keel mechanism requires inspection because poor maintenance can affect both performance and safety. Owners report common issues including wear at the keel pivot, water intrusion around deck fittings, and aging gelcoat that is prone to chalking. Osmosis is less common than in heavier cruisers of the era, but it remains possible. After decades of use, original hardware may also need replacement.
Refits, Maintenance, and Ownership
Many examples still carry original outboards that are well past their prime, making an upgrade to a modern four-stroke engine a common and recommended improvement. Electrical systems, where installed, are generally very basic and often need updating.
The boat’s light construction and outboard-focused layout keep maintenance costs relatively low. Most jobs are within the abilities of a hands-on owner.
Verdict
The MacGregor 22 is a classic trailer-sailer whose defining virtues are its light displacement and ease of trailering. It puts pocket cruising within reach of modest vehicles and budgets, and it suits an owner willing to trailer, launch, and maintain a simple boat. In return, it demands respect for its tender behavior in stronger breezes and diligent attention to the swing keel.
Pros
- Light, trailerable, and easy to launch and beach
- Efficient accommodation for five in a 22-foot hull
- Low ownership costs and owner-friendly maintenance
- Agile and quick in light to moderate air
Cons
- Tender and in need of early reefing in choppy or heavy seas
- Minimal structural reinforcement and a flex-prone layup
- Not suited to offshore passage-making
- Original hardware and outboards are often past their service life
