Hanse 342 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Hanse 342
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 342 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Catalina |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 342 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 342 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Hanse 342 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Hanse 342 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Hanse 342 is 2.68m longer than the Catalina 250. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 234% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 342 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.38 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 342 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the Hanse 342 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 342 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 342 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 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 342 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: Hanse 342 · Catalina 250