1989 Catalina 36 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
1989 Catalina 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1989 Catalina 36 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 1989–1994 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.3 m² (606 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1989 Catalina 36 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1989 Catalina 36 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1989 Catalina 36 was penned by Frank Butler. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 1989 Catalina 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.65m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 2.88m longer than the 1989 Catalina 36. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 50% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1989 Catalina 36 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1989 Catalina 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1989 Catalina 36 · 2016 Elan GT5