1984 MacGregor 26 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Catalina |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The Catalina 323 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Catalina 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 1.95m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 377% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 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 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Catalina 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 1984 MacGregor 26 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: 1984 MacGregor 26 · Catalina 323