Catalina 445 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
Catalina 445
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 445 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dehler |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 445 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 445 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Catalina 445 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Catalina 445 measures 13.56m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2017 Dehler 46 is 0.54m longer than the Catalina 445. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 8% 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 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2017 Dehler 46 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 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the Catalina 445 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46, 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 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 445 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 2017 Dehler 46 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Dehler 46 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.