Catalina 42 MkII vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 0.35m longer than the Catalina 42 MkII. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 21% 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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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