Catalina 34 MkII vs 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is a 1980s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is 2.44m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F displaces approximately 93% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 34 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 34 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 34 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 40.0% for the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 34 MkII provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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 34 MkII has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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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