Catalina 42 MkII vs 1987 C&C 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | 1987 C&C 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 1987–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and 1987 C&C 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 1987 C&C 44 is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1987 C&C 44 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1987 C&C 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1987 C&C 44 is 0.61m longer than the Catalina 42 MkII. The 1987 C&C 44 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 42 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 C&C 44, with an SA/D of 17.02 and 80.0 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 Catalina 42 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1987 C&C 44 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 41.3% for the 1987 C&C 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 42 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 152L of fuel. The 1987 C&C 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 C&C 44 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: Catalina 42 MkII · 1987 C&C 44