1974 Catalina 22 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 22
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 22 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1974–2012 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 363 kg (800 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.4 m² (198 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 22 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 22 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1974 Catalina 22 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 280 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 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Hunter 280 is 1.82m longer than the 1974 Catalina 22. The Hunter 280 displaces approximately 200% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 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 Hunter 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1974 Catalina 22 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 280 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 280 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · Hunter 280