Catalina 42 MkII vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
Catalina 42 MkII
2003 Dehler 42 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dehler |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 0.03m longer than the 2003 Dehler 42 DS. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 8% 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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.