1985 Westerly Storm 33 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1985 Westerly Storm 33
Catalina 323
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Westerly Storm 33 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Catalina |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 is a 1980s design by Westerly from UK, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 was penned by Ed Dubois. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 is 0.31m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.20 and 45.0 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 1985 Westerly Storm 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Westerly Storm 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Westerly Storm 33 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.