Catalina 34 MkII vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
Catalina 34 MkII
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1988 Westerly Corsair is 0.64m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The 1988 Westerly Corsair displaces approximately 17% 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 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 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 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, 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 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Westerly Corsair 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 1988 Westerly Corsair offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.