Beneteau First 35 vs Catalina 445 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Catalina 445 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Catalina 445 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 445 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 445 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Catalina 445 at 13.56m (44.5ft) with a 4.17m beam. The Catalina 445 is 2.88m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 106% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 445 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 38.0% for the Catalina 445, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L 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 35 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 445 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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