1969 O'Day 22 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
1969 O'Day 22
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 O'Day 22 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Catalina |
| Year | 1969–1983 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 5.72 m (18.8 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 318 kg (701 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.7 m² (191 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 O'Day 22 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 O'Day 22 is a classic design by O'Day from USA, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1969 O'Day 22 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1969 O'Day 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 1.60m longer than the 1969 O'Day 22. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 168% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 O'Day 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.87 and 17.7 m² of sail area. The Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1969 O'Day 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 O'Day 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 36.9% for the 1969 O'Day 22 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 O'Day 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
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 1969 O'Day 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 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.