Catalina 323 vs 1985 Contest 36 — Comparison
Catalina 323
1985 Contest 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 323 | 1985 Contest 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Contest |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1985–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 323 and 1985 Contest 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 323 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1985 Contest 36 is a 1980s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Catalina 323 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1985 Contest 36 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Catalina 323 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1985 Contest 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1985 Contest 36 is 1.22m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1985 Contest 36 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 323 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Contest 36, with an SA/D of 15.75 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 323 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 323 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1985 Contest 36 has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 323 and 41.5% for the 1985 Contest 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 323 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1985 Contest 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Contest 36 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 323 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.