Catalina 34 MkII vs 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1986–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 953 kg (2,101 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 2.74m longer than the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25. The Catalina 34 MkII displaces approximately 140% 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 Pacific Seacraft 25, with an SA/D of 14.13 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 Pacific Seacraft 25 has a comfort ratio of 25.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 42.0% for the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25, 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 Pacific Seacraft 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 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 Catalina 34 MkII 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 34 MkII · 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25