Catalina 385 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Oyster |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 2.29m longer than the Catalina 385. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 53% 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 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Oyster 46 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 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 385 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 2004 Oyster 46 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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Or view individual specs: Catalina 385 · 2004 Oyster 46