Catalina 34 MkII vs 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 — Comparison
1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1997–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.85 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.34m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 0.01m longer than the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 displaces approximately 7% 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, with an SA/D of 16.68 and 53.0 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 41.4% for the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 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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