Catalina 445 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 445 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Ericson |
| Year | 2016 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 445 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 445 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Catalina 445 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Catalina 445 measures 13.56m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Catalina 445 is 1.98m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 445 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 84.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 445 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 445 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the Catalina 445 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 445 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 445 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: Catalina 445 · 1984 Ericson 38