1974 Catalina 22 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 22
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 22 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1974–2012 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 363 kg (800 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.4 m² (198 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 22 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 22 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1974 Catalina 22 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Hunter 260 is 1.14m longer than the 1974 Catalina 22. The Hunter 260 displaces approximately 137% 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 Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 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 Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1974 Catalina 22 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, 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 Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 260 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 Hunter 260 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 · Hunter 260