1979 Islander 36 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Catalina |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.83m longer than the 1979 Islander 36. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 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 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Islander 36 · Catalina 42 MkII