Catalina 385 vs 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is a 1980s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is 1.07m longer than the Catalina 385. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 385 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 385 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 40.0% for the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 385 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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.
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