Catalina 250 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 250 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Beneteau |
| Year | 1994–2004 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 42 L (11.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 250 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 250 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Catalina 250 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Catalina 250 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 2.82m longer than the Catalina 250. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 249% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 250 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 250 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the Catalina 250 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 250 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 250 · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34