Catalina 34 MkII vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 0.15m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur.
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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 34 MkII · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur