Catalina 390 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Contest |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 2.21m longer than the Catalina 390. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 64% 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 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, 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 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 2005 Contest 46CS 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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Or view individual specs: Catalina 390 · 2005 Contest 46CS