Catalina 270 vs 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2005–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is 2.94m longer than the Catalina 270. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 displaces approximately 224% 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 40.0% for the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 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 · 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37