1987 Hylas 49 vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Catalina |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Catalina 545 is 1.52m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Hylas 49 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 99.6 m² of sail area. The Catalina 545, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 545 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Hylas 49 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Hylas 49 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 303L of fuel. The Catalina 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Hylas 49 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 Catalina 545 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 545 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: 1987 Hylas 49 · Catalina 545