1974 Catalina 27 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1974 Catalina 27
Dufour 310 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 27 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1974–1982 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,586 kg (5,701 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.5 m² (318 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 27 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 27 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1974 Catalina 27 was penned by Frank Butler. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 1.20m longer than the 1974 Catalina 27. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Catalina 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 29.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1974 Catalina 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Catalina 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the 1974 Catalina 27 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Catalina 27 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 Catalina 27 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 1974 Catalina 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1974 Catalina 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.