Catalina 545 vs 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 — Comparison
Catalina 545
1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 545 | 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2014 | 1999–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.00 m (45.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.65 m (15.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 125.0 m² (1,346 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 605 L (159.8 gal) | 900 L (237.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 545 and 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 545 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 545 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 545 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.65m beam. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 is 0.34m longer than the Catalina 545. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 545 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 125.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 545 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 545 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 545 and 37.5% for the 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 545 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 900L water and 600L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1999 Hallberg-Rassy 55 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 545 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.