Hanse 320 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 320 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Catalina |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 320 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 320 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Hanse 320 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Hanse 320 measures 9.92m (32.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Hanse 320 is 0.17m longer than the Catalina 323. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 320 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 320 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 320 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Hanse 320 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 320 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 Hanse 320 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Hanse 320 · Catalina 323