Catalina 270 vs 1990 Westerly Oceanquest — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 1990 Westerly Oceanquest |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1990–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 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) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 23 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 1990 Westerly Oceanquest represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is 2.36m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest displaces approximately 155% 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, with an SA/D of 14.32 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 38.5% for the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 · 1990 Westerly Oceanquest