Beneteau First 27 vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 2.78m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 174% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 MkII 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 Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 36 MkII 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: Beneteau First 27 · Catalina 36 MkII