Catalina 390 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
Catalina 390
1986 Westerly Oceanlord
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 0.15m longer than the Catalina 390. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 21% 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 390 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 390 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.