FIRST TEST BTC-22

As the first sporty 22-footer we have seen from a British builder in a long time, the BTC-22 is set to fill a significant gap in the market

- David Harding

Time was when anyone wanting a lively 22ft (6.7m) family cruiser with a lifting keel was almost spoiled for choice. Popular home-produced examples included the E-Boat, Evolution 22, Seal 22, Anderson 22, Atlanta Catch 22, Fox Terrier, Eclipse, Limbo 6.6, Timpenny 670 and Skipper 700. Then there were alternatives such as the Jaguar 21, Parker 21 and Parker 235, not to mention European offerings such as the Etap 22.

So what happened? Well, for some time now, would-be buyers in the UK in search of a trailable boat of this size have had a choice between a European lake-sailer and something that strikes a rather more traditional note. Modern trailable all-rounders suited to British coastal waters have been few and far between, leaving those in search of one to find and import a boat themselves and then face the possibility of having the only one in the country.

Given the versatility of a good 22-footer – capable of crossing the Atlantic, as the Anderson and E-Boat did, yet small enough to trail to new cruising grounds – it’s refreshing that, at long last, a British builder has introduced a new one. It comes in the form of the BTC-22, designed by Buckley Yacht Design and built in Southampton by Composite Mouldings (CML), which is also run by the Buckley family. Although CML might be an unfamiliar name to many, it was born out of Blondecell (Tradewinds, Cromarty 36 et al) and has built over 400 Hawk 20s for Reid Marine. Supplying composite mouldings to builders such as Oyster, CML is experienced in resin infusion, structural analysis and the use of carbon- fibre and aramids.