Catalina 270 vs 1976 C&C 33 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | 1976 C&C 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1976–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and 1976 C&C 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1976 C&C 33 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1976 C&C 33 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1976 C&C 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1976 C&C 33 is 1.75m longer than the Catalina 270. The 1976 C&C 33 displaces approximately 96% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 C&C 33, with an SA/D of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1976 C&C 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 45.0% for the 1976 C&C 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1976 C&C 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 C&C 33 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 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 C&C 33 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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