[1][3][4] The design was built by Rebel Industries in the United States between 1982 and 1987, with 400 examples of the type completed.

[1][4] The Spindrift 22 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim.

It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, a nearly vertical transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed stub keel, with a centerboard.

[1][3][4] The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.

[4][5] In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "The concept was to build a safe, giving boat for a family of four, fun to sail and with some elbow room in the interior.