1997 Moody 38 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Moody 38 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Moody | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | Bill Dixon | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.8 m² (644 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Moody 38 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Moody 38 is a 1990s design by Moody from UK, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Moody 38 was penned by Bill Dixon. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1997 Moody 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1997 Moody 38 is 2.89m longer than the Catalina 28. The 1997 Moody 38 displaces approximately 190% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Moody 38 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.98 and 59.8 m² of sail area. The Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Moody 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 1997 Moody 38 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Moody 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Moody 38 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 28 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1997 Moody 38 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: 1997 Moody 38 · Catalina 28