Catalina 425 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
Catalina 425
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 425 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Elan |
| Year | 2013 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.95 m (42.5 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,616 kg (21,200 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,719 kg (8,199 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 322 L (85.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 425 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 425 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Catalina 425 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Catalina 425 measures 12.95m (42.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The Catalina 425 is 0.88m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The Catalina 425 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 425 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.52 and 78.0 m² of sail area. The 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 425 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the Catalina 425 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 425 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 322L of water capacity and 152L of fuel. The 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 425 · 2014 Elan 400