I have flown a friend's Pa22 quite extensively. After the rebuild and weighing we complied an excel weight and balance chart which allowed rapid checking of all the possible parameters.
Interestingly it was impossible to exceed the aft limit if there was 200lbs in the front seats - and this aircraft had the extra rear fuel tank. In other words if you could get the doors to close, had one fat boy in the front and were under 2000lbs weight and balance was not an issue.
Neither was take off performance, light it leap into the air, heavy it flew like your typical spamcan.
But like all light aircraft it didn't like the heat. We transited through Popham on a very hot day at mauw and there was none of the usual rocket like performance. But it is plenty long enough - however with some loss of power or turbulence it would require a steady nerve and confidence.
Be interesting to see what the cause is determined as.