Things to look for... 22 Classic

[DBGB]

Question 1
I have lurked around this website for about a year looking to glean as much knowledge as possible about these beautiful boats. With that said, I do not want to stir up a fight, but is there certain years that I should be wary of? Things to look for? Engine drive combinations that have problems, fuel tank issues, stinger issues, transom problems?

Question 2
Does the 22 plane at a reasonable rate? I currently have a 19 checkmate outboard that either wants to haul ass, or putz... No pushing water without bowrise.

Question 3
I like the rumble, but can you install a captains call with relative ease?

Question 4
The majority of the time I will be on a chain of lakes that are rather small... 700 acres max. I plan to to just cruise these lakes, but would like to be able to run on Torch lake and Lake Michigan. Based on the weight and deadrise, it would appear that this boat would handle 2-3 footers?.... albeit wet...?

Your honest opinons are welcomed. Thank you, and you folks seem to be a close knit helpful group.

[Carl C]

I won't try to address all of your concerns but my 22 planes like a rocket with no tab. I get on Lake Huron more and more and Lake St. Clair too (St. Clair can be worse!). 2-3 footers are no problem. You can run them at speed and stay dry. 4 footers can be run dry if taken straight on. 5 footers will beat up your boat and break over the bow:smash:! All this I say from experience.:alligator

[mjw930]

Question 1
I have lurked around this website for about a year looking to glean as much knowledge as possible about these beautiful boats. With that said, I do not want to stir up a fight, but is there certain years that I should be wary of? Things to look for? Engine drive combinations that have problems, fuel tank issues, stinger issues, transom problems?

Question 2
Does the 22 plane at a reasonable rate? I currently have a 19 checkmate outboard that either wants to haul ass, or putz... No pushing water without bowrise.

Question 3
I like the rumble, but can you install a captains call with relative ease?

Question 4
The majority of the time I will be on a chain of lakes that are rather small... 700 acres max. I plan to to just cruise these lakes, but would like to be able to run on Torch lake and Lake Michigan. Based on the weight and deadrise, it would appear that this boat would handle 2-3 footers?.... albeit wet...?

Your honest opinons are welcomed. Thank you, and you folks seem to be a close knit helpful group.

Although I only have a few hours on my 22 I do have thousands of hours on a lot of different boats, from 14' whalers to 41' Velocity's so I'll take a shot at answering your questions.

I like the BB / Bravo 1 combo but a SB / Alpha could be a nice package as well. Many older (mid '80's) boats have been repowered with BB/Bravo packages, these can be great finds if the repower was recent.

Looking at the general upkeep of the boat as well as how it was stored will tell you a lot about the things you can't see. Stringers and Transoms are not any more an issue with these as with any other boats of their era and fuel tank issues are also on par with other brands. Pay close attention to anything that has been screwed into the transom or stringers as that's where intrusion usually starts and left unchecked you end up with problems. I don't really think there's any more or less issues with the 22 Classics than say Checkmates, Baja's or other boats of that ilk. I'm sure some will chime in that have more experience.

My '87 22 will cruise at any speed from 30 mph - 60 mph without much if any tab and very little positive trim. That's running a Clever prop which is what they ran back in the '80's and for the most part they work well. The hull has not problems planing out around 20 mph and you can maintain a reasonable plane without much trouble. It's certainly not an all or nothing compromise.

Captain's call can be installed and many used boats have it but be aware that many states, Michigan included (I think) consider them to be illegal and unless the boat is grandfathered you're screwed. Basically they have outlawed switchable mufflers all together so you'll need to review your local laws. Installing that system is not more difficult than on any other Mercruiser package.

2 - 3 footers (honest 2 - 3 footers, not the chop many call waves) are pretty easy stuff for this hull but care will be needed in quartering seas. Anything above 3' and you need to be taking them straight on and working the boat's attitude to prevent a stuff until you get lots of seat time (true with ANY boat). Remember, a 3' wave is higher than the freeboard on this boat.

Overall there aren't may 22' boats that handle the rougher stuff much better. Some may be faster due to pad bottoms and others may seem safer due to more freeboard but side by side a 22 Classic can run away from most other 22' boats once the going gets rough.

[VetteLT193]

As far as capt's call is concerned, if it's a priority make it #1 because it's probably going to cost you way more to do it after the fact than to 'upgrade' to a newer boat with it already installed.

[EGregware]

What motor or horsepower amount will push a 22 Classic over 70 mph with the right prop?

[Carl C]

If you mean stock motors: 502/415 hp or 496 HO/425 hp

[mjw930]

If you mean stock motors: 502/415 hp or 496 HO/425 hp

I agree, based on what I get with 330 hp (63 mph) I'd say 400 HP, give or take, is what it's going to take to top 70 mph on GPS.

On the older boats you're looking at a repower since the biggest motor you're likely to find will be the older 454 Mag @ 350 hp. Newer boats with the 496 should be close and the 496 HO should have no problems.

Then there's always the Blackhawk boats :shocking:

[DBGB]

Thank you for your input thus far.

[Tony]

My stock 385 hp package sends me above 70 mph, but I have a special outdrive. Details are below...

[roadtrip se]

Random thoughts...

Switchables are still allowed.

The St Clair River and the Island areas are a nice ride.
Forget about the lake. We have had a ball on Charlevoix and Torch. Lake Michigan always beats the snot out of us.

I would look for a 1998-2001 package to take you up to 70 the easiest and most dependably, if you can afford it. Look for Mag engines. These boats also come with the stainless windshield and really decent construction quality.

If you are looking for a great buy and a real nice older boat, take a look at Trueser's ride. Nicest 80's vintage 22 on the market and completely re-done.

Good luck and welcome to the MADCOW!

[CHACHI]

I have a 1999 22C with a 454 MPI, Bravo 1 runs 73+
at WOT. Not bad for a stocker.
Ken

[rtgogo]

Are there any big differences with the 96-97 models compared to 98-01 packages?

[roadtrip se]

No, not really.

In my opinion, the glass work gets better and the materials in the interior a little nicer, the closer you get to 2000, but not enough to walk away from a well cared for older 22.

[sweet 16 1966]

I ran across the 1981 Donzi model listing. A 22' classic was
represented on a black and white brochure in between the glossy pics of the 18' Classic, Hornet II and the Criterion. It shows the weight to be only 2900#'s on the 22 Classic.
Check out- 22 Classic windshield - optional
Prices...
18' $17,567 w/260HP $22,282 w/330hp - 2250#'s
20' Hornet $21,263 w/260hp $24842 w/330hp - 3000#'s
22' $19,415 w/260hp $23,562 w?330hp 2900#'s
22' Criterion $$30,204 330 hp --- 3700#'s
Options...
Carpet 115-158-184-std
Engine Hour meter 115-115-115-std
Air Horn 147-147-147-147
Shipping cover 489-526-526-526
ShippingCradle 610=698=698=698
Speedometer 105-105-std-std
Trim tabs 653-653-653-std
Two Tone Bottom 295-295-316-std
Windshield 295-std-550-std
AM/FM Stero Cassette 789-789-789 std
****pit - Bolster 895-std-895std
Electro-Hydraulic Hatch Opener 895-895-895-std
Flush Mounted Electric Deck Light 305-305-305-305
Cigarette Lighter 63-63-std-63
S.S. Cleaver Prop 342-342-342-342