1968 Pearson 22 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 22 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Catalina |
| Year | 1968–1973 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.6 m² (200 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 22 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 22 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1968 Pearson 22 was penned by William Shaw. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 1.60m longer than the 1968 Pearson 22. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 104% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.39 and 18.6 m² of sail area. The Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 22 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1968 Pearson 22 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 22 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Catalina 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 270 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1968 Pearson 22 · Catalina 270