1969 Ericson 35 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 Ericson 35 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Catalina |
| Year | 1969–1976 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.6 m² (523 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 Ericson 35 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 Ericson 35 is a classic design by Ericson from USA, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1969 Ericson 35 was penned by Bruce King. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1969 Ericson 35 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 2.13m longer than the 1969 Ericson 35. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 Ericson 35 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.96 and 48.6 m² of sail area. The Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 Ericson 35 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1969 Ericson 35 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 Ericson 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1969 Ericson 35 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 42 MkII 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 42 MkII offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1969 Ericson 35 · Catalina 42 MkII