Beneteau First 36.7 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 1.50m longer than the Catalina 323. The Beneteau First 36.7 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 Beneteau First 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 36.7 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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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 36.7 · Catalina 323