1990 Catalina 34 vs 1995 Feeling 39 — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
1995 Feeling 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | 1995 Feeling 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Feeling |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 1995–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.78 m (12.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and 1995 Feeling 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1995 Feeling 39 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The 1995 Feeling 39 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 1995 Feeling 39 at 11.80m (38.7ft) with a 3.78m beam. The 1995 Feeling 39 is 1.44m longer than the 1990 Catalina 34. The 1995 Feeling 39 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The 1995 Feeling 39, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1995 Feeling 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1995 Feeling 39 has a comfort ratio of 18.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 38.5% for the 1995 Feeling 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1995 Feeling 39 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 1995 Feeling 39 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.