1979 Peterson 44 vs Catalina 387 — Comparison
Catalina 387
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Catalina 387 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Catalina |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Catalina 387 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Catalina 387 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Catalina 387 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Catalina 387 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.83m longer than the Catalina 387. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 387, with an SA/D of 16.73 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Catalina 387 has a comfort ratio of 18.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 39.4% for the Catalina 387, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Catalina 387 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 1979 Peterson 44 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 Peterson 44 · Catalina 387