Catalina 36 MkII vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Sabre |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Sabre 402 is 1.22m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The 2003 Sabre 402 displaces approximately 24% 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 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 MkII 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 2003 Sabre 402 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 36 MkII · 2003 Sabre 402