1974 Catalina 22 vs 1977 Westsail 28 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 22
1977 Westsail 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 22 | 1977 Westsail 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westsail |
| Year | 1974–2012 | 1977–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 363 kg (800 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.4 m² (198 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 22 and 1977 Westsail 28 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1974 Catalina 22 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1977 Westsail 28 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1974 Catalina 22 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1977 Westsail 28 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the 1977 Westsail 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1977 Westsail 28 is 1.82m longer than the 1974 Catalina 22. The 1977 Westsail 28 displaces approximately 531% 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 1977 Westsail 28, with an SA/D of 11.16 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1977 Westsail 28 has a comfort ratio of 36.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.66. The ballast ratios are 42.1% for the 1974 Catalina 22 and 41.7% for the 1977 Westsail 28, 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 1977 Westsail 28 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Westsail 28 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.