Beneteau First 36.7 vs Catalina 445 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | Catalina 445 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and Catalina 445 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 445 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 445 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 445 at 13.56m (44.5ft) with a 4.17m beam. The Catalina 445 is 2.31m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 96% 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 445, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 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 445 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 38.0% for the Catalina 445, 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 445 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 445 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: 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: Beneteau First 36.7 · Catalina 445