1965 Pearson Vanguard vs Catalina 315 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
Catalina 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | Catalina 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Catalina |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and Catalina 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Catalina 315 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The Catalina 315 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the Catalina 315 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is 0.38m longer than the Catalina 315. The Catalina 315 displaces approximately 11% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 315, with an SA/D of 16.32 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 315 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Catalina 315 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 40.0% for the Catalina 315, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Catalina 315 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard 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 315 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: 1965 Pearson Vanguard · Catalina 315