
TANZER 22
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 22.5 ft |
| LWL | 19.75 ft |
| Beam | 7.83 ft |
| Draft | 3.42 ft |
| Displacement | 2,900 lb |
| Ballast | 1,249.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.0 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 27.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 8.6 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 23 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 9 ft |
| FLforestay | 8.6 ft |
| Mainsail | 233.5 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 121.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 206.9 sq ft |
About the TANZER 22
The TANZER 22 was the most popular of all the Tanzer models. Most were constructed in Dorion, Que.(CAN). But some were produced in Edenton., N.C. (USA), (270 boats) and in Arlington, WA (USA). (167 boats). About 200 were built as keel-centerboarders. DRAFT: BU- 2.0'/.61m BD- 4.0'/1.22m Displacement: 3100 lbs./ 1406 kgs. Ballast: 1500 lbs. / 680 kgs. After Tanzer went out of business in 1986, the tooling was aquired by Kisber & Co., which built Tanzer models for about a year before selling out to Canadian Yacht Builders which never built any. At some point, The TANZER 22 class association acquired the design, tooling and name of the boat by selling shares to members but is unknown if any more have been built since then. A rare variant, the TANZER 22 T/4, has a slightly modified rudder and sailplan allowing it to rate at, or below the 1/4 ton level under IOR MkIII. The rule itself was changed very soon afterward so this version was sold for only a very short time. Rig Dimensions for T/4: I: 27.50' / 8.38m J: 8.60' / 2.62m P: 23.00' / 7.01m E: 9.00' / 2.74m
Designed by Johann Tanzer and built by Tanzer Industries Ltd. (CAN) from 1970–1986, the Tanzer 22 is a prolific coastal cruiser with 2271 hulls produced. Its enduring popularity is reflected in the high volume of owner-reported upgrades, particularly in sails and canvas, though its age demands vigilant maintenance of structural components.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruising and weekend sailing, appealing to owners who prioritize ease of handling and a large, comfortable cockpit for entertaining. It is less ideal for extended bluewater passages due to its light displacement and specific structural vulnerabilities.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 2900.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.2, the Tanzer 22 is primarily a coastal cruiser rather than a dedicated bluewater vessel, though some owners have equipped them with watermakers and wind generators for extended trips.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Catalina 22 and O'Day 22, which share similar dimensions and roles as accessible, trailerable coastal cruisers from the same era. These vessels offer similar performance characteristics and market positioning, making them direct competitors in the used boat market.
Direct variant of the TANZER 22
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Images
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
31 listings · boat years 1971–1988 · median $3,500
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 22.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
30 reported issues across 9 systems for the TANZER 22, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a TANZER 22? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 30 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the TANZER 22
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