1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.04m longer than the Catalina 385. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Catalina 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 385 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Catalina 385