1978 Catalina 25 vs 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 — Comparison
1978 Catalina 25
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Catalina 25 | 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1978–1991 | 1986–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 748 kg (1,649 lbs) | 953 kg (2,101 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.1 m² (281 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Catalina 25 and 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Catalina 25 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1978 Catalina 25 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1978 Catalina 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Catalina 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 26.1 m² of sail area. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25, with an SA/D of 14.13 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Catalina 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Catalina 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 has a comfort ratio of 25.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 1978 Catalina 25 and 42.0% for the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Catalina 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 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 1978 Catalina 25 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Catalina 25 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: 1978 Catalina 25 · 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25