The Sunbeam impresses with its well-balanced lines and excellent finish. In the centreboard version, the boat can easily be trailered to remote areas. Considering the good construction, the boat is reasonably priced." And: "This lamination, together with the careful polyester finish, should give the boat a long service life."
How true, today as it was almost 60 years ago. The above quote was written by the later editor-in-chief Harald Schwarzlose, once a recognised expert on small yachts and also specialised in "Listang" also world champion in the quarter-tonne class in 1969, in the same year about the Sunbeam 22 in YACHT. The boat from the pen of the then popular Dutch designer van de Stadt became the Alpine counterpart of the equally prosperous Varianta from Dehler - which was also designed by van de Stadt and in the same period. The Sunbeam 22, a real mass-produced boat, one for the people, for everyone. Around 1,200 boats are built. It costs DM 13,500 - the equivalent of the price of a second-hand boat today.
More from the shipyard:
Sunbeam and Varianta are created in a thoroughly creative time. The Wankel engine goes into series production with the NSU Ro 80, which incidentally costs as much as a Sunbeam 22. The Doors revolutionise pop music, Che Guevara is shot, Sweden switches to right-hand traffic. Boats like to be colourful, forest green, corneal umbra, bockwurst beige. The Hollywood film "The Graduate" (with the still unknown actor Dustin Hoffman) breaks a social taboo (wife keeps a younger lover). Synthetic fibres become fashionable, men wear turtlenecks, women wear ultra-shorts. GRP is acceptable in boatbuilding. Sailing almost becomes a popular sport, there are even membership freezes in the clubs. It was an exciting time. Just like today.
Much in common, even more different
The year is 2025 and clubs are complaining about a loss of members, while society and the sailing community are ageing. The industry is trying to counter this. Innovations for easier sailing, a constant faster, higher, further helps at least the capable. Recreational pluralism (which has long been a well-known scourge of sailing) is reaching new dimensions; fewer and fewer people want to commit themselves to a particular activity or even to sailing, which is supposedly cost-intensive.
The Austrian Schöchl shipyard is launching a 22.1 in 2016. Almost 50 years after the predecessor model, it could be joked, unaware of the fact that the company has had various small cruisers in its portfolio in the meantime and still has a 29-footer in its programme today, which currently ends at 32 feet.
Gerhard Schöchl explains why the new 22.1: "We wanted a simple boat that even beginners could handle and that would appeal to new target groups. It also had to be modern, look good and be easy to trailer so that the owner doesn't need an expensive berth. Hence the folding centreboard for easy slipping without a crane." The size of the boat is ideal for this and still offers four berths and suitability for short holidays. Just like its predecessor.
Sunbeam 22 and 22.1: two boats that have a lot in common, but could hardly be more different. Like the Beetle and the Audi A1. The boats show how yacht building and design have evolved - over several generations.
Today there are more boat
Volume, width, rigging, sail area, deck technology - everything is different. Although both boats are exactly the same length, it seems as if you could put the older boat into the newer one. It's not just that the 22.1 is 2.49 metres and therefore 34 centimetres wider. From today's perspective, the old one also lacks freeboard and volume in the fore and aft sections. The new one, on the other hand, is round at the front and very modern with a pronounced chines extending into the bow area - a shape that seems particularly useful on inland waters with little wind, as Manfred Schöchl explains. "The boat has a narrow waterline for a small wetted area with little wind and heel. With a layline, it grabs onto the chines and becomes stable."
As the test on the shipyard's home lake Mattsee shows. A light south-westerly with holes in it shows the qualities of the new construction by J&J Design and Manfred Schöchl. It accelerates very well, reaches good speeds in light winds and travels at a very decent height, which is particularly evident when compared to the aged Sunbeam; the old boat simply doesn't stand a chance - even if it must be taken into account that it is equipped with old sails. On the 22.1, on the other hand, new and high-quality (extra) sails from Doyle Raudaschl are used.
The jib is slightly overlapping and is driven on the coachroof with cutely short (24 centimetre) sheet rails. The main is designed as a square top; the shipyard has therefore dispensed with a backstay. Special feature: The upper shrouds are not run over spreaders and are primarily used to tighten the forestay. Diamonds with spreaders are responsible for the stability of the rig and the mast bend. This separation of tasks means that the rig requires less tension to limit the sag of the forestay. A system that seems to work extremely well.
Sword creates variance
The 22.1 is equipped with a swivelling keel as standard. The 230-kilogram cast iron fin reaches a full 1.40 metres into the water when fully extended. It is raised and lowered using a very well-functioning centreboard drop mimic. A 4:1 reduction ratio is sufficient for this. The operator has to pull 2.50 metres of drop on deck, then the ballast centreboard is raised and the boat is only 0.60 metres deep.
This makes landing on the beach, anchoring close to the shore and, above all, trailering extremely easy. The boat can be slipped over a ramp. In addition to the swivelling keel, a further 200 kilograms of internal ballast made of lead plates between the centreboard box and bow ensure stability. A position that is not ideal for sailing in the waves, but enables more effective buoyancy distribution.
Measured values of the Sunbeam 22.1
An exemplary detail: the centreboard folds under the hull when required and in the event of grounding. In the saloon, there is only a small, barely disruptive box that carries the centreboard head and the pulleys of the lifting mechanism and on which the mast support stands.
The narrow keel needs some speed to provide buoyancy, otherwise the drift is great and the boat drifts away. This is important to bear in mind when manoeuvring in harbours under sail and at regattas, for example in the starting phase. The effect is familiar from other sports boats.
The attached rudder can also be swivelled. Two gas pressure springs hold it in position. Another special feature is the bionic rudder fin. The narrow blade is fitted with three tennis ball-sized knobs at the bottom front. The shape is modelled on the fins of the baleen whale. The purpose of this measure, which is already being used on large regatta yachts such as the "Rambler" and "PRB", is to stall later, thus providing better control with more position.
Modern sailing performance with the new
Fortunately, we were able to try this out on a second sailing trip. The reefing limit is reached at wind speeds between 12 and 15 knots. Travelling under full sail on a trial basis, the boat can actually still be controlled well even with a lot of leeway, until at some point the tubercle rudder starts to stall. However, the shot to windward is moderate and, above all, the ship can be caught again quickly if necessary. This behaviour meets the demand for good, controllable sailing characteristics.
Headsheets and halyards run on self-tailing large Harken winches on the coachroof. However, the mainsheet could do with a platform for the foot block. The helmsman sits safely and comfortably on the thwarts. While squatting on the coaming, the tubes on the thwarts are supposed to provide support for the feet, but force a rather unrelaxed posture - there are better solutions.
Also worth mentioning in the cockpit: the benches are very generously dimensioned at 2.00 metres in length, and the companionway is also nice and wide. Incidentally, these are both points where the first Sunbeam 22 from 1969 literally looks old. This can also be seen on the beam. The old boat is equipped with a boom and spinnaker, the new one with a retractable sprit and furling gennaker. Fasten the jib line a little, pull the outhaul, unfurl the gennaker and off you go. On the 22, meanwhile, they struggle with the topsail and downhaul, the unruly boom. The new Sunbeam requires shallower angles, with the old one they can sail deeper. When it comes to downwind courses, the two boats don't really have much in common. The Sunbeam 22.1 can therefore also be equipped with a normal spinnaker. On more acute courses, the new boat shows again that development has not come to a standstill - by leaving the old one behind.
And this is not only evident in the performance, but also in the comfort dimensions. The cockpit of the older Sunbeam is narrow and cramped - that of the new one, on the other hand, has large dents and, at 1.30 metres in length, generous cockpit boxes. These can be easily removed to create plenty of space for regatta use. A configuration that is chosen when the boat is used in the Austrian sailing league. It is then fitted with robust footrests instead of the back boxes. The outboard motor is mounted with a conventional bracket or with a customised bracket, with which the power unit can be folded up and slid on rails into a back box.
Modular system on and below deck
The shipyard also works with modules below deck. Two open, small lockers can be ordered, which can also accommodate a cool box. A power pack under the cockpit combines the battery, shore connection, panel and sockets. A chemical toilet can be accommodated next to it.
The open interior otherwise offers four berths. The double berth in the foredeck is a full 2.12 metres long, a full 1.77 metres wide at shoulder height and is not even tapered: it is around 50 centimetres at the end. However, the saloon berths are only 1.93 centimetres long once the lockers have been installed. Storage space can otherwise be found under the berths and in wooden shelves in the saloon or canvas shelves in the foredeck.
Open space, few fittings, no galley, plenty of room: the Sunbeam 22 is a modern small cruiser. Its predecessor, on the other hand, was designed to accommodate more in less space and was considered more of a small yacht. A relatively large wardrobe dominates the space, and its door closes off the foredeck. However, the berths there are just 1.74 metres long - but the saloon has a proper galley and large windows. Those were different times with more frugal owners. In 1969, Harald Schwarzlose said: "At the weekend, you can also go on trips with four adults. There is plenty of space on and below deck."
Today, small boats are used differently. Manfred Schöchl: "Most of these boats are sailed inland. And they only need bunks to spend the night after the Wednesday evening regatta and the fun that goes with it. The next morning, a quick coffee is enough. In any case, we are installing more and more espresso machines and fewer pantries in these boats."
Successful and fairly priced
In addition to the sensible layout and equipment, the quality of the fittings should be emphasised. The substructure of the berths and the floor assembly are a stiffening component; narrow wing bulkheads and a deck beam provide additional stability. The deck is thermally and visually insulated by a clean inner shell. A few beautifully shaped and well-crafted wooden parts add flair to the ship, a large forward hatch provides air, and two (unfortunately non-opening) superstructure windows provide additional light.
Overall, the ship is not only very successful, but also a true enrichment in the small cruiser market. Especially as the Sunbeam is positioned at a comparatively favourable price of 58,310 euros.
- Base price ex shipyard: 58,310 € gross
- Standard equipment included: Mainsail and headsail, sheets, railing, cushions, bilge pump, fenders, mooring lines
As of 2025, as the prices shown are defined, you will find here!
In the disciplines of sailing characteristics, handling, comfort, ergonomics and space, the new Sunbeam 22 wins out over the old one - no wonder: an Audi A1 would also beat a Beetle on every point. Except for one: likeability, which the classic from Mattsee and the bestseller from Wolfsburg have in common, probably forever.
YACHT review of the Sunbeam 22.1
The Sunbeam 22.1 impresses with its sailing behaviour, its ease of operation, the modularly expandable equipment and, ultimately, its price. The good trailerability also saves costs.
Design and concept
Versatile, swivelling keel
Useful modules
Sailing performance and trim
Speed, altitude, steering behaviour
Light winch properties
Living and finishing quality
Large berths, large cockpit
Side window cannot be opened
Equipment and technology
High-quality equipment
Too little hold on coaming with a lot of position
The Sunbeam 22.1 in detail
Technical data of the Sunbeam 22.1
- Design engineer: J&J/M. Schöchl
- CE design category: C
- Torso length: 6,70 m
- Total length: 6,85 m
- Waterline length: 6,62 m
- Width: 2,49 m
- Depth: 0,60-1,40 m
- Theoretical torso speed: 6.25 kn
- Weight: 1,3 t
- Ballast/proportion: 0,35 t/27 %
- Mast height above waterline: 10,41 m
- Mainsail: 16,8 m²
- Furling genoa (105 %): 10,9 m²
- Gennaker: 35,0 m²
Hull and deck construction
- Hull: GRP sandwich laminate with foam core, keel area full laminate
- Deck: Sandwich laminate with foam
Sunbeam 22.1 and Sunbeam 22 in direct data comparison
Generation change with Sunbeam 22.1 at YACHT tv
The test was first published in 2016 and has been revised for this online version.
