Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 vs Catalina 387 — Comparison
Catalina 387
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 | Catalina 387 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2019 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and Catalina 387 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 387 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Catalina 387 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 measures 14.20m (46.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the Catalina 387 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is 2.62m longer than the Catalina 387. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 387, with an SA/D of 16.73 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 387 has a comfort ratio of 18.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 39.4% for the Catalina 387, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 provides 12 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Catalina 387 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 387 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 Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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