1985 Freedom 21 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Catalina |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Catalina 250 is 1.22m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The Catalina 250 displaces approximately 119% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 250 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 1985 Freedom 21 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 250 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.