Catalina 445 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 445 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Contest |
| Year | 2016 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.56 m (44.5 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 379 L (100.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 445 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 445 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Catalina 445 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Catalina 445 measures 13.56m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The Catalina 445 is 0.76m longer than the 1992 Contest 42. The Catalina 445 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 445 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 84.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 445 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 445 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the Catalina 445 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 445 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 42 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 445 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 445 · 1992 Contest 42