1985 Hunter 25.5 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
1985 Hunter 25.5
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Hunter 25.5 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Catalina |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.7 m² (277 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Hunter 25.5 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 measures 7.77m (25.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 0.54m longer than the 1985 Hunter 25.5. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 46% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.19 and 25.7 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 1985 Hunter 25.5 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L 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 1985 Hunter 25.5 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.