1974 Catalina 27 vs 1972 Contest 31 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 27
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 27 | 1972 Contest 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Contest |
| Year | 1974–1982 | 1972–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,586 kg (5,701 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.5 m² (318 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 27 and 1972 Contest 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 27 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1974 Catalina 27 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1972 Contest 31 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1972 Contest 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1972 Contest 31 is 1.22m longer than the 1974 Catalina 27. The 1972 Contest 31 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Catalina 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 29.5 m² of sail area. The 1972 Contest 31, with an SA/D of 14.65 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1974 Catalina 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Catalina 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1972 Contest 31 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the 1974 Catalina 27 and 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Catalina 27 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1972 Contest 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Contest 31 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 1974 Catalina 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1974 Catalina 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.