Catalina 36 MkII vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | O'Day |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 2.44m longer than the 1979 O'Day 28. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 142% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 36 MkII has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 O'Day 28, with an SA/D of 16.16 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 36 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 36 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 36 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1979 O'Day 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 O'Day 28 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 36 MkII 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 36 MkII 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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