<html><body><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#003333; font-size:10pt;"><div>We've overnighted a fair bit with our kids on Lake Mtka (not much of a cruising lake) and a bit in the Apostle Islands. I know there is one J22 that regularly sails across Superior and travels long distances, but I haven't spoken personally with them. The J22 is very seaworthy and, while overpowered with low freeboard, it's not going to sink. I took my old McGreggor 22 cruising a bit and while it was a much better camping boat it was anything but seaworthy in a blow. </div>
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<div>My wife and I would sleep in the bow area, our kids slept on the benches. As the kids grew we had some plastic storage boxes in the aft areas that their feet could rest on. I've hear of several J22's that had removable bunks made for the quarterbirths, and they were well received. We just never saw the need. </div>
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<div>When we purchased our boat we repainted the entire interior and it made a WORLD of difference for making the cabin more inviting (see attached photo). We also had a small 8" deck hatch on the bow which brings light and ventilation into the forward bunk and makes that area 1000% more usable. </div>
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<div>We cut a long hatch into our cabin sole so that we could utilize the bilge for storage. Works great on Lake Superior for keeping drinks cold, but once you start sailing the ice melts in a heartbeat. </div>
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<div>We used plastic Rubbermaid storage bins for nearly everything while cruising. They stack nicely in the quarterbirths. </div>
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<div>We had a waterproof nylon camping tarp that we slung over the boom and secured to the deck with bungee cords, we used some fiberglass tent poles in each end to make wider. This makes the J22 many times more comfortable at anchor in terms of shelter. <BR><BR>A burner in the cabin might work well, but when we are cruising we tend to prefer cooking on the aft deck as much as possible (heat/smell/mess). </div>
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<div>We did not have lifelines, but if we cruised on big waters more often we would, especially shorthanded. When sailing offshore we had an extra tether attached to the lifting ring for our harness' to clip to, I think the boat it too small to use a proper jackline. </div>
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<div>For singlehanded sailing I used all ratchmatic blocks, I used continuous sheets for both the spinnaker and jib, I used a 2:1 jib sheet to avoid using winches, and everything could be handled from the windward side. Hard to explain how I did this, but it's not rocket science either. When sailing single you do not want to go low side unless you are desperate, and those are typically the moments you least want to go low side. A fun singlehand boat, but it's tender and it's not going to "take care of you" like a more tame boat might. <BR><BR>We didn't use our tillerpilot on the J22. I'm sure it would work, but the J22 can be pretty tender for an autopilot if the wind kicks up. </div>
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<div>Finally, the flotation in the J22 will keep the boat from sinking, but just barely and only if the forward and aft hatches are sealed properly. If you swamp, you might not be able to bail the boat, and certainly not in heavy seas as you'll be right at the rail. A watertight hatchboard might allow you to get past this problem and be worth considering if you want to get serious about a trans superior bandit entry or some foolishly great idea like that. </div>
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<div>Best of luck,</div>
<div>Dallas Johnson</div>
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<DIV id=wmQuoteWrapper>-------- Original Message --------<BR>Subject: [J22-Fleet 1] Setting up a j-22 for cruising<BR>From: "Smolenski, John" <<a href="mailto:JJSmolenski@aaamichigan.com">JJSmolenski@aaamichigan.com</a>><BR>Date: Mon, June 17, 2013 9:01 am<BR>To: "'<a href="mailto:j22@lists.wyc.org">j22@lists.wyc.org</a>'" <<a href="mailto:j22@lists.wyc.org">j22@lists.wyc.org</a>><BR><BR>
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<DIV>I'm looking to purchased a small used reasonably fast sailboat with the idea of setting it up for singlehanded cruises on the great lakes.</DIV>
<DIV>I like to have a reasonably fast sailor in the 21-25 foot range with a small space below to sleep. </DIV>
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<DIV>The j-22 looks like a fast sailor with a cabin suitable for minimalist cruising on the great lakes.</DIV>
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<DIV>Has anyone extended the cabin seats into settee quarter berths?? <I>(an old j-22 brochure mentions this option) </I></DIV>
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<DIV>I'd also build a small light box to site between the cabin seats that would hold a 1 burner stove and a place for a plate, some silverware and a small fry pan. This "cookbox" could be taken out in the cockpit in nice weather</DIV>
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<DIV>Has any one added a tiller auto pilot?</DIV>
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<DIV>How does the j-22 sail singlehanded?</DIV>
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<DIV>Thanks</DIV>
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<DIV>Smo</DIV>
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