1986 Catalina 27 vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
1986 Catalina 27
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Catalina 27 | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hunter |
| Year | 1986–1991 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 30.9 m² (333 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Catalina 27 and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1986 Catalina 27 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1986 Catalina 27 was penned by Frank Butler. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1986 Catalina 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1986 Catalina 27 is 2.69m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1986 Catalina 27 displaces approximately 567% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 Catalina 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.11 and 30.9 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 Catalina 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1986 Catalina 27 and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 Catalina 27 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Catalina 27 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 Hunter 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Catalina 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.