Catalina 385 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.12m longer than the Catalina 385. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 32% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 385 · 2015 Elan 450