Catalina 270 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 is 2.69m longer than the Catalina 270. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 displaces approximately 108% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 270 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 270 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 · 2015 ClubSwan 36