1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 38
Catalina 323
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 1.83m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.