Catalina 385 vs 1990 Westerly Oceanquest — Comparison
Catalina 385
1990 Westerly Oceanquest
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | 1990 Westerly Oceanquest |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Westerly |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 1990–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 23 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and 1990 Westerly Oceanquest represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Catalina 385 is 1.06m longer than the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest. The Catalina 385 displaces approximately 38% 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, with an SA/D of 14.32 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Catalina 385 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 38.5% for the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 385 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.