1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is 1.83m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 displaces approximately 116% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · Catalina 270