Jeanneau Sun 2000 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Jeanneau Sun 2000
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun 2000 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2001–2008 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Daniel Andrieu | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.08 m (19.9 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 5.45 m (17.9 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 700 kg (1,543 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 200 kg (441 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun 2000 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun 2000 is a 2000s design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun 2000 was penned by Daniel Andrieu. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun 2000 measures 6.08m (19.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.30m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 2.23m longer than the Jeanneau Sun 2000. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 230% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun 2000 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.57 and 17.5 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 Jeanneau Sun 2000 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun 2000 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 28.6% for the Jeanneau Sun 2000 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun 2000 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 270 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 Jeanneau Sun 2000 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 270 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.