1978 Albin Ballad 30 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1978 Albin Ballad 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Albin Ballad 30 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Albin | Catalina |
| Year | 1978–1984 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | Rolf Magnusson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.07 m (29.8 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.5 m² (414 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 is a 1970s design by Albin from Sweden, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 was penned by Rolf Magnusson. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 measures 9.07m (29.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 0.68m longer than the 1978 Albin Ballad 30. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.30 and 38.5 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 1978 Albin Ballad 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.7% for the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 60L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 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 1978 Albin Ballad 30 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: 1978 Albin Ballad 30 · Catalina 323