Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Laminex Pocket Rocket was to maximize the sailing fun factor without sacrificing the structural safety net of a heavily ballasted keelboat. In the early 1980s, the sportboat landscape was dominated by designs that were either too fragile for rough-water racing or heavily constrained by rating rules of the era, such as the International Offshore Rule 4. Gary Mull broke free from these constraints by designing a boat with an ultra-wide beam of 9.5 feet on a hull that is only 22 feet overall. This dramatic hull shape, narrowing sharply at the bow and remaining wide all the way to the transom, provided immense initial form stability. The boat was designed to plane early and easily, a feat made possible by its exceptionally light construction and clean underwater profile.
Inside, the Pocket Rocket was never intended to be a family cruiser. The accommodation is minimalist in the extreme, designed more for "boat-camping" or basic weekend shelter at regattas rather than extended coastal cruising. The cabin offers no standing headroom but utilizes the boat's massive beam to provide a surprisingly wide forward V-berth and two long quarter berths extending aft under the cockpit. The interior finish is primarily high-gloss white gelcoat on molded fiberglass surfaces, with minimal teak or wood trim, keeping the boat’s overall weight low and prioritizing ease of maintenance.
Variations & Configurations
While the original Laminex Pocket Rocket was manufactured as a strict one-design racer-cruiser with very few factory variations, its fundamental design was so successful that it eventually spawned a significant modern evolution. The 1983 production model came standard with a deep, fixed fin keel drawing 5 feet and carrying 1,100 pounds of lead ballast, which was paired with a high-aspect, transom-mounted rudder. Its mast was a deck-stepped, fractional aluminum spar with a single set of swept-back spreaders, and it lacked a backstay, relying instead on shroud sweep and running backstays for tension.
Decades later, in 2002, the design was updated by Canadian designer Don Martin in collaboration with Mull's original concepts to become the Rocket 22 5. Built in Canada, the newer Rocket 22 introduced substantial changes, including a retractable bulb fin keel, a carbon-fiber mast, and an extendable carbon bowsprit for flying asymmetrical spinnakers. For those searching for the original Laminex-built classic, however, the fixed deep-keel and fractional aluminum rig remain the defining structural characteristics, offering a rugged, simple, and reliable platform that requires less mechanical maintenance than the complex lifting-keel mechanisms of later derivatives.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing dynamics of the Pocket Rocket are defined by an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio and exceptional initial stability. With a displacement of 2,400 pounds and a waterline length of 21.5 feet, the hull has a displacement-to-waterline ratio of 107.81, firmly placing it in the light-displacement sportboat category. When paired with a generous sail area-to-displacement ratio of 23.03, the boat displays eager, immediate acceleration in the lightest puffs. Rather than heeling excessively when hit by a gust, the Pocket Rocket converts wind energy directly into forward speed. This is due in large part to its massive ballast-to-displacement ratio of 45.83% and its 9.5-foot beam, which provide a powerful righting moment.
Off the wind, the boat planes with minimal effort, tracking beautifully and feeling remarkably stable at speed. At the helm, the high-aspect transom-hung rudder is highly communicative, giving the helmsperson immediate, tactile control without the heavy loads typical of wider boats. Downwind, flying a symmetrical spinnaker, the boat behaves like a high-performance dinghy, yet its deep 5-foot draft and heavy lead keel ensure it remains self-righting. Conversely, its low comfort ratio of 8.54 indicates that this is a lively, motion-intensive boat in a seaway; in choppy coastal conditions, the ride will be wet and fast, demanding active crew work to keep the boat at peak performance.
Known Issues & Triage
As with any high-performance boat from the 1980s that has likely seen years of aggressive racing, the Pocket Rocket has several common structural areas that require diligent inspection and preventative maintenance. The balsa-cored fiberglass deck is highly susceptible to moisture intrusion and subsequent core rot, particularly around heavily loaded fittings like chainplates, jib tracks, and the mast step. Triage of soft deck areas typically involves drilling out the affected core, scraping out rotted balsa, and backfilling the void with an epoxy-and-filler mixture before re-bedding the hardware with a high-quality polyurethane sealant.
Another area of concern is the keel-to-hull joint, where the deep 5-foot fin keel meets the fiberglass bilge. Years of high-load sailing or minor groundings can result in stress cracking at this joint, commonly referred to as a keel smile. Owners should inspect the internal floor timbers and backing plates for signs of stress, cracking, or movement, and ensure the keel bolts are torqued to manufacturer specifications. Finally, the transom-hung rudder and its mounting gudgeons should be inspected for play or wear; the high steering loads generated when sailing at high speeds can wear out the rudder bushings, necessitating their replacement to restore the crisp, precise steering feel the boat is famous for.
Modernization & Upgrades
A dedicated community of owners has kept the Pocket Rocket competitive and enjoyable by applying modern updates that breathe new life into the aging fleet. One of the most popular retrofits is the transition of the running rigging. Replacing the original wire-to-rope halyards with modern, low-stretch Dyneema lines drastically improves sail shape control and reduces weight aloft. Many owners have also upgraded the deck layout by installing high-efficiency ball-bearing blocks, modern cam cleats, and adjustable under-deck barber haulers to fine-tune jib trim.
On the electrical side, because the boat lacks an inboard engine and has limited charging capacity, modern refits frequently feature lightweight Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries paired with flexible solar panels mounted on the companionway hatch or cabin house. This setup easily powers modern navigation instruments, LED lighting, and VHF radios without adding significant weight. For auxiliary propulsion, while the boat was originally rated for small outboards, many owners are now swapping out heavy, noisy gasoline outboards for clean, quiet electric outboards, which are perfectly suited for simply getting the boat in and out of the marina.
Market Snapshot & Economics
On the brokerage market, the Laminex Pocket Rocket is a rare and highly prized commodity. Because of its limited production run by Laminex Industries in the mid-to-late 1980s, finding one for sale requires patience and diligent searching. The boat tends to command a premium relative to standard, mass-produced 22-foot cruising boats of its era, as buyers are specifically searching for its unique sportboat performance and Gary Mull design pedigree.
However, when compared to the cost of modern sportboats, a used Pocket Rocket represents an exceptional value, offering ninety percent of the speed and thrill of a modern racer at a fraction of the entry price. The economics of a refit are highly favorable for a handy DIY owner, as the boat's small size keeps the cost of new sails, rigging, and painting relatively low. When buying, priority should be given to vessels with a dry deck, sound structural grid, and an existing quiver of decent sails, as a complete replacement of the sail inventory can easily equal the initial purchase price of the boat.
The Verdict
The Laminex Pocket Rocket is a brilliant, ahead-of-its-time design that successfully bridged the gap between dinghy racing and keelboat safety. For the sailor who prioritizes raw speed, responsive handling, and the joy of sailing over standing headroom and cruising amenities, this Gary Mull classic remains a highly compelling choice. It is a boat that demands active, athletic sailing but rewards its crew with exhilarating speed and a sense of absolute control.
- Exceptional sailing performance and early planing ability off the wind.
- Extremely stable and stiff due to a high ballast ratio and wide beam.
- Minimalist, easy-to-maintain fiberglass construction.
- Highly responsive, dinghy-like steering feel at the helm.
- Excellent value compared to modern, high-priced sportboats.
Cons
- Scarce on the brokerage market and difficult to locate.
- Minimalist cabin interior lacks standing headroom and cruising amenities.
- High potential for deck core rot around aging deck hardware.
- Wet and motion-intensive ride in heavy chop and open seaways.
- Requires active crew work and sailing technique to handle the powerful sailplan.
