Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2020 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.80 m (55.1 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.75 m (48.4 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.98 m (16.3 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.40 m (7.9 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,500 kg (36,376 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 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 | 80 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 measures 16.80m (55.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.98m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is 0.34m longer than the Catalina 545. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.81 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 545, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 31.5% for the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 350L of fuel. The Catalina 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 545 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 Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.