1963 Contessa 26 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
1963 Contessa 26
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Contessa 26 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeremy Rogers | Catalina |
| Year | 1963–1980 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | David Sadler | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.0 m² (280 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Contessa 26 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Contessa 26 is a classic design by Jeremy Rogers from UK, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1963 Contessa 26 was penned by David Sadler. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1963 Contessa 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The Catalina 28 is 0.89m longer than the 1963 Contessa 26. The Catalina 28 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Contessa 26 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.31 and 26.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Contessa 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 46.0% for the 1963 Contessa 26 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Contessa 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Contessa 26 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 Catalina 28 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 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.