1994 Catalina 320 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1994 Catalina 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1994 Catalina 320 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1994–2007 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 133 L (35.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1994 Catalina 320 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1994 Catalina 320 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1994 Catalina 320 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1994 Catalina 320 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1994 Catalina 320 is 1.52m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1994 Catalina 320 displaces approximately 75% 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 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1994 Catalina 320 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, 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 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 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 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: The 1994 Catalina 320 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: 1994 Catalina 320 · 1978 Cape Dory 270