The Avalon Catalina - 20 Foot 2008 vs Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006 measures 22,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Avalon Catalina - 20 Foot 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 187 lbs and 173 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Avalon Catalina - 20 Foot 2008 and 100 hp for the Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Avalon Catalina - 20 Foot 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Avalon Windjammer - 22 Foot 2006 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 Catalina - 20 Foot 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.