1977 Bristol 29.9 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1977 Bristol 29.9
Catalina 323
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 0.63m longer than the 1977 Bristol 29.9. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 323 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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 323 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 323 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.