When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Avalon 18 ft. Catalina 2012 and the Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 measures 22,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Avalon 18 ft. Catalina 2012 at 18,0 feet (2012). At 16 lbs and 28 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 has a 150-hp advantage over the Avalon 18 ft. Catalina 2012's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Avalon 18 ft. Catalina 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Avalon 22 ft. DRL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Avalon 18 ft. Catalina 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.