1980 Peterson 34 vs Catalina 315 — Comparison
Catalina 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Catalina 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Catalina |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and Catalina 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Catalina 315 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Catalina 315 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Catalina 315 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1980 Peterson 34 is 0.91m longer than the Catalina 315. The 1980 Peterson 34 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 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 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Catalina 315 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 40.0% for the Catalina 315, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Catalina 315 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 34 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 1980 Peterson 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1980 Peterson 34 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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