Hanse 315 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 315 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Catalina |
| Year | 2010–2016 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.55 m (28.1 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.5 m² (447 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 85 L (22.5 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 315 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 315 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Hanse 315 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Hanse 315 measures 9.65m (31.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.15m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Hanse 315 is 2.03m longer than the Catalina 250. The Hanse 315 displaces approximately 164% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 315 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.20 and 41.5 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 315 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.8) 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 28.6% for the Hanse 315 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 315 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 85L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 315 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: 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: Hanse 315 · Catalina 250