Catalina 323 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
Catalina 323
1997 Tartan 3700
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 323 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Tartan |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 323 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 323 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The Catalina 323 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the Catalina 323 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 1.53m longer than the Catalina 323. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 48% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 323 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 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.