Catalina 36 MkII vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Valiant |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.31m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 10% 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Catalina 36 MkII · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37