1974 Catalina 27 vs 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 27 | 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1974–1982 | 1978–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Bruce Bingham |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,586 kg (5,701 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.5 m² (318 ft²) | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 27 and 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1974 Catalina 27 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 is a 1970s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1974 Catalina 27 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 was designed by Bruce Bingham.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 at 6.10m (20.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1974 Catalina 27 is 2.13m longer than the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20. The 1974 Catalina 27 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Catalina 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 29.5 m² of sail area. The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, with an SA/D of 12.17 and 16.3 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1974 Catalina 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Catalina 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 has a comfort ratio of 25.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the 1974 Catalina 27 and 42.8% for the 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Catalina 27 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 38L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1974 Catalina 27 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 27 · 1978 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20