Versatility is the key. The broader the spectrum of possible uses, the greater the appeal for a modern and universally orientated clientele. This applies not only to larger vessels, but increasingly also to the small boat sector. The combination of classic types, the mix between racy trunk boats, habitable cabin cruisers and trailerable daysailers, appears to be promising.
The Pointer 22 from Holland is an exciting representative of the versatile crossover type. The 6.50 metre long and only 2.20 metre wide boat from Geert Wijma's shipyard in Heeg adopts the ideas of the Pointer 25 presented in 2014, but reduces the concept by more than a metre in hull length. Compared to its larger sister, which comes with a fixed keel and an under-mounted rudder blade, the smaller Pointer 22 is more flexible in terms of customised and location-independent use. The boat is easy to transport by road and can be launched via any ramp or directly onto the beach.
Small, sporty and trailerable: the competition
The ballast centreboard can be fully retracted into the fuselage and the two rudder blades are attached. The steering profiles are in cassettes and can also be raised in a single movement. In addition, the simple and lightweight Seldén rig can be raised and lowered by hand or using a standard jib rig. The mast is positioned in a folding device on the small cabin superstructure. Travelling sailing and trailering could hardly be easier.
Pointer 22 has an appealing look
The shipyard in Friesland is currently producing some important innovations compared to the prototype we tested. For example, the anchor locker on the new series boats is flatter and therefore less obtrusive in the footwell of the forward berth below deck. In addition, the cut-out for the companionway is now much further forward on the new boats. On construction number 1, access to the cabin can only be achieved by contortions. Jachtwerf Heeg has also slightly remodelled the cabin floor so that two more long berths can be installed below deck if required. This means that up to four people can now spend the night on the Pointer 22 as an option, which may be a little cramped.
The Dutch designer Peter Bosgraaf drew up the lines and construction plans for the Pointer 22. The very low freeboard, the pronounced deck step and the vertically sloping bow stem are striking. Overall, the Pointer 22 also presents itself as a visually harmonious package. Chine edges in the rear hull area are intended to provide additional dimensional stability, even without an excessively wide stern. Nevertheless, the shipyard has fitted double rudder blades to its newcomer, which is surprising given the rather slim lines compared to the competition.
When testing the prototype on the Heegermeer in Friesland, the two rudder blades proved to be problematic. The small boat shows a considerable tendency to windward in the wind and especially under Code Zero. The helmsman has to pull hard on the tiller arm to keep the boat on course. The steering profiles are obviously too large and hardly really pre-balanced. In addition, the angles are poorly tuned, which unfortunately cannot be adjusted.
Recommended investments
Apart from the problems with the rudders, the Pointer 22 sailed well in the test, showed good performance potential and was very lively in manoeuvres. In a moderate breeze of around ten knots, the little Dutchwoman crosses with her short overlapping genoa and wide mainsail at an angle of 85 degrees, reaching around 5.7 knots.
Potential owners are recommended to use the optional gennaker with 28 square metres of sail area or, as on the test boat, the furling Code Zero (19 square metres) for the necessary increase in pleasure on the courses on the beam. For these additional sails, a fixed carbon fibre sprit is attached to the bow. It is also possible to get the Pointer 22 with a self-tacking jib instead of the overlapping genoa - but this is not absolutely necessary for single-handed sailing.
The guidance of the sheets, halyards and trim lines is perfect, and the functions can be easily accessed by the helmsman at any time, even when sailing solo. This means that the Pointer 22 can also be operated by soloists without restriction, which is particularly important for use as a sporty daysailer. And this is precisely one of the advantages of the large hull appendages: the boat can accelerate quickly from a standstill with almost no drift. This makes manoeuvring in the harbour easy, even without an engine. There are still options for additional propulsion in the form of outboard motors (petrol or electric) or as a permanently installed pod drive.
The Pointer 22 lacks storage space
The cockpit on the Pointer 22 has a well thought-out structure. The helmsman sits on the side of the running deck with good support. The co-sailors sit further forward on the short thwarts and can also operate all the lines from their position. However, the padded backrests are removable. This means that sporty co-sailors can also sit on the high edge during the regatta. Cruising sailors will miss the storage space in the cockpit; there are no forecastle boxes under the thwarts. And the anchor locker and the rather small storage space in the stern only offer limited capacity. Fenders, mooring lines or additional sails must therefore be stowed below deck.
The Pointer 22 is built from A to Z in the Heeger shipyard, hull and deck as a sandwich with foam core, laminated in hand lay-up. The boat can also be ordered with a fixed keel, which is also firmly fitted and bolted into the centreboard box. The idea is that the boat can be easily converted from a fixed keel to a swing keel.
With a basic price of €49,000, the Pointer 22 from Holland is comparatively inexpensive and almost ready to sail straight from the shipyard. The Dutch will undoubtedly get the problems with the rudders under control. Then everything will finally fit together.
The measured values for testing the Pointer 22
The Pointer 22 in detail
Technical data of the Pointer 22
- Designer: P. Bosgraaf Yacht Design
- CE design category:C
- Torso length:6,50 m
- Width:2,20 m
- Draught (swivelling keel):0,30-1,10 m
- Weight:0,75 t
- Ballast/proportion:0,18 t/24 %
- Mainsail:14,0 m²
- Furling genoa (105 %):9,0 m²
- Machine:Outboard/electric
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich construction with foam core, built by hand. Hull: Vinylester. Deck: Polyester
Price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: € 49,000 incl. 19 % VAT.
- Warranty/against osmosis: 2/5 years
As of 9/2023, how the prices shown are defined can be found here !
Shipyard and distribution
Jachtwerf Heeg BV, 8621DV Heeg (Holland); www.jachtwerf-heeg.nl
YACHT rating of the Pointer 22
Pretty crossover boat from Holland. With a fully retractable swing keel, the Pointer 22 is easy to slip and transport. Also attractive in terms of price and comparison
Design and concept
- + Flexible use possible
- + Robust construction
- + Easiest trailerability
Sailing performance and trim
- + Sails stiffly and runs well upwind
- + Unrestricted single-handed use
- - Extremely windward on the wind
Living and finishing quality
- + Berths for up to four people
- - Very empty and sparse inside
Equipment and technology
- + Swivelling keel fully recoverable
- + Motorisation of your choice
- - Little storage space on deck
This article first appeared in YACHT 12/2018 and has been updated for this online version.
