1989 Catalina 36 vs 1994 Najad 343 — Comparison
1989 Catalina 36
1994 Najad 343
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1989 Catalina 36 | 1994 Najad 343 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Najad |
| Year | 1989–1994 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.3 m² (606 ft²) | 47.5 m² (511 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1989 Catalina 36 and 1994 Najad 343 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1989 Catalina 36 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1994 Najad 343 is a 1990s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1989 Catalina 36 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1994 Najad 343 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1989 Catalina 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the 1994 Najad 343 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1989 Catalina 36 is 0.61m longer than the 1994 Najad 343. The 1989 Catalina 36 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1989 Catalina 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.93 and 56.3 m² of sail area. The 1994 Najad 343, with an SA/D of 15.68 and 47.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1989 Catalina 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1989 Catalina 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1994 Najad 343 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1989 Catalina 36 and 40.7% for the 1994 Najad 343, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1989 Catalina 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1994 Najad 343 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1994 Najad 343 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 1989 Catalina 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1989 Catalina 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.