Catalina 390 vs 1984 C&C 37+ — Comparison
Catalina 390
1984 C&C 37+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 1984 C&C 37+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 1984 C&C 37+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1984 C&C 37+ is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1984 C&C 37+ was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1984 C&C 37+ at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.61m longer than the 1984 C&C 37+. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 390 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of sail area. The 1984 C&C 37+, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 C&C 37+ has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 390 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1984 C&C 37+ has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 41.4% for the 1984 C&C 37+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 390 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1984 C&C 37+ offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 C&C 37+ 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 1984 C&C 37+ 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.