Catalina 323 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 323 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 323 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 323 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 323 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 323 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 0.61m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 29% 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 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 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 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 323 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 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 323 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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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