1972 Islander 24 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Catalina |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 2.43m longer than the 1972 Islander 24. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 200% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 m² of sail area. The Catalina 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1972 Islander 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Islander 24 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 1972 Islander 24 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 323 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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Or view individual specs: 1972 Islander 24 · Catalina 323