Catalina 545 vs 2014 Amel 55 — Comparison
Catalina 545
2014 Amel 55
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 545 | 2014 Amel 55 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Amel |
| Year | 2014 | 2014–2021 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Olivier Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) |
| LWL | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 580 L (153.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 605 L (159.8 gal) | 780 L (206.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 545 and 2014 Amel 55 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 545 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 2014 Amel 55 is a modern offering from Amel from France. The Catalina 545 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2014 Amel 55 was designed by Olivier Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the Catalina 545 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 2014 Amel 55 at 16.80m (55.1ft) with a 4.75m beam. The 2014 Amel 55 is 0.34m longer than the Catalina 545. The 2014 Amel 55 displaces approximately 7% 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 2014 Amel 55, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2014 Amel 55 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 545 and 34.9% for the 2014 Amel 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 2014 Amel 55 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 780L water and 580L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Amel 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: The Catalina 545 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.