1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 1.29m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 57% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 MkII 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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 36 MkII 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: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · Catalina 36 MkII