Catalina 28 vs 1990 Feeling 32 — Comparison
Catalina 28
1990 Feeling 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 28 | 1990 Feeling 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Feeling |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.50 m (4.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 28 and 1990 Feeling 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 28 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1990 Feeling 32 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Catalina 28 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1990 Feeling 32 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the Catalina 28 measures 8.69m (28.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1990 Feeling 32 at 9.85m (32.3ft) with a 3.15m beam. The 1990 Feeling 32 is 1.16m longer than the Catalina 28. The 1990 Feeling 32 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 28 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of sail area. The 1990 Feeling 32, with an SA/D of 14.49 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1990 Feeling 32 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the Catalina 28 and 36.2% for the 1990 Feeling 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 28 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1990 Feeling 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Feeling 32 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 Catalina 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.