Catalina 440 vs 1987 C&C 44 — Comparison
Catalina 440
1987 C&C 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 440 | 1987 C&C 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1987–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 440 and 1987 C&C 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 440 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1987 C&C 44 is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Catalina 440 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1987 C&C 44 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Catalina 440 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.14m, compared to the 1987 C&C 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 440 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 440 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.96 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 C&C 44, with an SA/D of 17.02 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 C&C 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 440 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1987 C&C 44 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 440 and 41.3% for the 1987 C&C 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 440 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1987 C&C 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 C&C 44 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 1987 C&C 44 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.