Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013
2013
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VS
Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 boat specs
Catalina Yachts
Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997
1997
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Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 measures 27,6 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 12,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 at 15,2 feet (1997). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 tips the scales at 5 000 lbs — 4 660 lbs more than the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 at 340 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 displaces 5 000 lbs — a 4 660-lb difference over the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 at 340 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,7 ft and 3,6 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 is rigged as a Sloop while the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 carries fractional_rig_sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably.

Both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 are listed as trailerable, which opens up the freedom to explore different sailing grounds without paying for a permanent berth. Hull speed is rated at 6,9 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and 4,9 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997.

Bottom line: The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 5 000 lbs displacement and 28 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 at 340 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail27.60 ft
Length overall - Detail15.20 ft
Length - Feet27.6
Length - Feet15.2
Length overall - Meters8.41
Length overall - Meters4.63
Length overall - Inches331
Length overall - Inches182
Beam8.60 ft
Beam6.20 ft
Beam - Meters2.62
Beam - Meters1.89
Beam - Inches103
Beam - Inches74
Draft [max] - Detail3.70 ft
Draft [max] - Detail3.60 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.13
Draft [max] - Meters1.1
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inches43
Displacement5000.00 lbs
Displacement340.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Rudder1 spade rudder
Rudder1 spade rudder
Helm1 tiller
Helm1 tiller
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine 2 Horsepower15 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Performance
Maximum speed6.91
Maximum speed4.88
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
TrailerableYes
TrailerableYes
RiggingSloop
Riggingfractional_rig_sloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationMast foot integrated on deck
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail

Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 vs Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,6 feet overall. The Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 comes in at 15,2 feet, making it roughly 12,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997?
For trailering, the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 has the edge at 340 lbs dry weight versus 5 000 lbs for the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 has the deeper draft at 3,7 ft, versus 3,6 ft for the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Is the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 better suited for offshore sailing?
For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 at 5 000 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 at 340 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.
Can the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 be trailered?
Yes — both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 are listed as trailerable, which means you can store either at home, launch at different ramps, and avoid marina fees entirely. Confirm rig height against your route's bridge clearances before the first trip.
Which is the faster sailboat — the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 or the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997?
Based on rated hull speed, the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 has an edge at 6,9 knots versus 4,9 knots for the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 measures 103" wide, compared to 74" for the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Catalina Yachts Catalina 275 Sport - Fin Keel Fin Keel 2013 and the Catalina Yachts Catalina Expo 14.2 1997 are built by Catalina Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.