Catalina 42 MkII vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 2.44m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 42 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 42 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 42 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 42 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 152L of fuel. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 42 MkII 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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