Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2017 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.30m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 42 MkII 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 42 MkII offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Catalina 42 MkII