1965 Pearson Vanguard vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
Catalina 390
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Catalina |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Catalina 390 is 2.06m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 102% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 390 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Catalina 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard 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 390 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 390 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.