Catalina 270 vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The Catalina 270 is 2.77m longer than the Hunter 185. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 467% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 270 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 Hunter 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 270 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: Catalina 270 · Hunter 185