1974 Catalina 22 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 22
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 22 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Beneteau |
| Year | 1974–2012 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 363 kg (800 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.4 m² (198 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 22 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 22 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1974 Catalina 22 was penned by Frank Butler. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Beneteau First 27 is 1.48m longer than the 1974 Catalina 22. The Beneteau First 27 displaces approximately 178% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Catalina 22 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.65 and 18.4 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1974 Catalina 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Catalina 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.94). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1974 Catalina 22 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Catalina 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 20L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 27 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 1974 Catalina 22 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 27 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: 1974 Catalina 22 · Beneteau First 27