Catalina 270 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
Catalina 270
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Contest |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1985 Contest 36 is 2.66m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1985 Contest 36 displaces approximately 181% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 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 Catalina 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Contest 36 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: Catalina 270 · 1985 Contest 36