Beneteau First 47.7 vs Catalina 545 — Comparison
Catalina 545
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | Catalina 545 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 605 L (159.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and Catalina 545 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 545 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 545 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the Catalina 545 at 16.46m (54.0ft) with a 4.72m beam. The Catalina 545 is 1.77m longer than the Beneteau First 47.7. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Catalina 545 has a comfort ratio of 15.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 37.5% for the Catalina 545, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Catalina 545 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 545 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 47.7 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: Beneteau First 47.7 · Catalina 545