1988 Contest 44CS vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Contest 44CS | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Contest | Catalina |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Netherlands | USA |
| Designer | Dick Zaal | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,700 kg (27,999 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Steel | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Contest 44CS and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Contest 44CS is a 1980s design by Contest from Netherlands, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1988 Contest 44CS was penned by Dick Zaal. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1988 Contest 44CS measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1988 Contest 44CS is 0.61m longer than the Catalina 42 MkII. The 1988 Contest 44CS displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Contest 44CS has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.86 and 85.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Contest 44CS offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1988 Contest 44CS and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Contest 44CS provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 300L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Contest 44CS 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 42 MkII 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: 1988 Contest 44CS · Catalina 42 MkII