The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[3]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee quarter berths in the main cabin. The galley is located on the port side just aft of the bow cabin. The galley is equipped with a two-burner stove and a sink. The head is located under the bow cabin berth. Cabin headroom is 54 in (140 cm) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal).[1][3]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with a spinnaker.[3]
The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 234 and a hull speed of 5.9 kn (10.9 km/h).[3]
Variants
Cal 22 Fin Keel
This model displaces 2,100 lb (953 kg) and carries 775 lb (352 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 3.50 ft (1.07 m) with the standard fin keel.[1][3]
Cal 22 Shoal Draft
This model displaces 2,275 lb (1,032 kg) and carries 925 lb (420 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 2.83 ft (0.86 m) with the shoal draft fin keel.[1][3]
Operational history
In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "best features: The deck layout is admirably simple, with all lines led to cockpit. Worst features: The Cal 22 came with either a deep (3' 5") or shoal (2' 10") fin keel. The deep keel doesn't match the performance of the Capri 22, a comp[etitor], as is evidenced in the PHRF ratings The shoal-draft version is too shallow to sail adequately upwind, and too deep to make launching as easy as, say the swing keel Beneteau First 235. Headroom and space are better in the Beneteau, too. Altogether, judged against her comp[etitor]s, the Cal does not shine."[3]