Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2016 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is 2.72m longer than the Catalina 250. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 displaces approximately 227% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 250 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 Oceanis 34.1 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 Oceanis 34.1 · Catalina 250