Catalina 390 vs 1996 Najad 380 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 1996 Najad 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Najad |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1996–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.50 m (31.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 3,050 kg (6,724 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 1996 Najad 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1996 Najad 380 is a 1990s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1996 Najad 380 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1996 Najad 380 at 11.55m (37.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.34m longer than the 1996 Najad 380. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 10% 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 1996 Najad 380, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Najad 380 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 1996 Najad 380 has a comfort ratio of 20.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 40.7% for the 1996 Najad 380, 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 1996 Najad 380 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Najad 380 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 1996 Najad 380 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 390 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 390 · 1996 Najad 380