1994 Catalina 320 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
1994 Catalina 320
1977 Cal 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1994 Catalina 320 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Cal |
| Year | 1994–2007 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 133 L (35.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1994 Catalina 320 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1994 Catalina 320 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1994 Catalina 320 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1994 Catalina 320 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1977 Cal 33 is 0.31m longer than the 1994 Catalina 320. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1994 Catalina 320 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.01 and 47.4 m² of sail area. The 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1994 Catalina 320 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1994 Catalina 320 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1994 Catalina 320 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1994 Catalina 320 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 133L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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 1994 Catalina 320 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.