Design and Construction
The Noelex 22 was engineered around the trailer-yacht brief: a solid fiberglass hull and deck, a centerboard plan with plate-up draft of 0.84 feet for road transport and ramp launching, and a plate-down draft of 4 feet for sailing traction. The 114 kg ballasted plate is the heart of her stability story, and the 26.73 ballast-displacement ratio backs up what the plate weight alone suggests. With a displacement-length ratio of 136.85 and a comfort ratio of 9.63, she is light and responsive rather than plush. An owners association was formed for the class, a signal that the design built a continuing community rather than a one-run production blip.
Rig and Handling
She is rigged as a fractional sloop with a mast and a spinnaker in the inventory, and the 190 square-foot sail plan sits on a hull whose waterline length and light weight favor acceleration. The centerboard lets the boat be trailered without a crane, and the same plate provides the lateral grip when sailing. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.09 marks her as a boat that will move in modest air without feeling overcanvased, and the trailer-yacht format means a single owner can launch, rig, and sail without a marina berth.
Accommodations
The cabin is sized for short coastal hops rather than liveaboard use at 7 feet 2 inches of beam and just over 1,600 pounds, and the trailer-yacht classification confirms a boat meant to be parked on a driveway between weekends.
Known Issues
The Noelex 22 has shown no structural or systemic defects in her service history.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership centers on the trailer-yacht lifestyle: ramp launch, mast-step at the ramp, and sail. The spinnaker and mast are the moving parts an owner handles each outing, and the solid fiberglass construction means cosmetic rather than structural attention dominates the refit calendar. The formed owners association is the practical support structure for parts, tuning, and trailer rigging knowledge.
The Verdict
The Noelex 22 is a thoughtfully proportioned trailer sloop that punches above her 22 feet in stability and class coherence. The ballasted centerboard, light displacement, and active owner community make her a credible coastal sailor that can be kept at home.
Pros
- High ballast ratio for the size gives reassuring stability
- Centerboard trailers and launches without a haulout
- Active owners association supports long-term ownership
Cons
- No interior berth count or tankage is specified for the design
- Light comfort ratio limits extended cruising appeal
