Catalina 42 MkII vs 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 — Comparison
1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 1997–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 8.85 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.34m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 2.45m longer than the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 64% 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, with an SA/D of 16.68 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 41.4% for the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, 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 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 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: The Catalina 42 MkII 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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