Below is Al’s recent response to someone interested in comparing the Rocket to an Ultimate 20. This is a boat we are often compared to, I think simply because we are in a similar length overall band. I've also added a couple of interior pictures of the Rocket. The usual response when people poke their heads down below is "are you sure this boat is 22 feet!!".
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Hi Jim,
I just finished driving a Rocket 22 from Penticton BC to LA last night, so hopefully I will make sense. First of all the U20 is a great boat. The fundamental difference is that the U20 is a large dinghy and the Rocket is a small keelboat. The difference is much bigger than the 2ft LOA suggests. The Rocket has more freeboard making it a drier boat in waves. The freeboard also helps in the volume down below. I compare below to a J24, Merit 25 or a Capri 25. The Rocket has both the Asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnakers. The mast, sprit and spin pole are all carbon.
The stock Rocket comes ready to race. It is really down to engine, electronics (Tacktick T075 is my choice), boat cover and cushions (I wouldn't take them because I wouldn’t need them to race). The stock Rocket 22 has all Sampson racing lines and adjustments that you would ever need. Main halyard, spin sheets are all tapered and 1/8" spectra is used on the traveler, jib halyard, topping lift, outhaul, twings, barberhauler, vang and Cunningham for less resistance.
All the lines have been hand spliced with one end open with extra line so that you can make fine adjustments before finalizing the length. The tiller is carbon fiber and the tiller extension is an adjustable Ronstan "Battle stick". The rudder is "infused" and weighs around 15lbs. The roller furling has a dedicated "Facnor" halyard swivel so that you have the ability to adjust the jib halyard, from the pod, with a 4:1 purchase and still be able to furl the jib. No other "stock" boat that I know of has that feature.
The spin pole is carbon fiber with light weight Forespar fittings custom finished with spectra line. The stanchions are PHRF "legal" at 18" and no further than 7Ft apart. The only thing we don't put on is the pulpit. The life lines have a 2" strap in the cockpit area so it doesn't hurt you back when you lean on it. The strap is fastened by 1800lb test spectra and adjusted at the factory so that there is slack and then a bungie cord is tied on to it to take up the slack.
The only thing that would be needed on the Rocket is for "special" racing like single or double handed racing, offshore or cruising. The Rocket's PHRF # in SoCal is 102 and in the NW its 105 which is the same as a J105 so it is considerably faster than the U20.
The Rocket can be either crane or trailer launched and since the mast is carbon it’s not a problem to drop due to its very light weight.
If you have any questions please get back to me and I will be happy to help you.
Alan Barnes
The stock Rocket comes ready to race. It is really down to engine, electronics (Tacktick T075 is my choice), boat cover and cushions (I wouldn't take them because I wouldn’t need them to race). The stock Rocket 22 has all Sampson racing lines and adjustments that you would ever need. Main halyard, spin sheets are all tapered and 1/8" spectra is used on the traveler, jib halyard, topping lift, outhaul, twings, barberhauler, vang and Cunningham for less resistance.
