1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is 2.06m longer than the Catalina 250. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 displaces approximately 164% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · Catalina 250