1985 Catalina 30 vs 2000 Najad 355 — Comparison
1985 Catalina 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Catalina 30 | 2000 Najad 355 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Najad |
| Year | 1985–1996 | 2000–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.72 m (35.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Catalina 30 and 2000 Najad 355 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Catalina 30 is a 1980s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2000 Najad 355 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1985 Catalina 30 was penned by Frank Butler. The 2000 Najad 355 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1985 Catalina 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the 2000 Najad 355 at 10.72m (35.2ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 2000 Najad 355 is 1.58m longer than the 1985 Catalina 30. The 2000 Najad 355 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Catalina 30 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The 2000 Najad 355, with an SA/D of 15.69 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2000 Najad 355 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Catalina 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 2000 Najad 355 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1985 Catalina 30 and 40.0% for the 2000 Najad 355, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Catalina 30 provides 7 berths in 1 cabin with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 2000 Najad 355 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Catalina 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 2000 Najad 355 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Catalina 30 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: 1985 Catalina 30 · 2000 Najad 355