1974 Catalina 22 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 22
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 22 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Catalina |
| Year | 1974–2012 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 363 kg (800 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.4 m² (198 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 22 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 22 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1974 Catalina 22 was penned by Frank Butler. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Catalina 250 is 0.91m longer than the 1974 Catalina 22. The Catalina 250 displaces approximately 84% 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 Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 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 Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1974 Catalina 22 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, 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 Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 250 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1974 Catalina 22 · Catalina 250