2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43
Catalina 390
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2010–2014 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.17 m (43.2 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 54 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 measures 13.17m (43.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is 1.28m longer than the Catalina 390. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Catalina 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 390 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.