1990 Catalina 34 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
1990 Catalina 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Catalina 34 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1990–2004 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.8 m² (536 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Catalina 34 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Catalina 34 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1990 Catalina 34 was penned by Frank Butler. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1990 Catalina 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 0.54m longer than the 1990 Catalina 34. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Catalina 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 and 49.8 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Catalina 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Catalina 34 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Catalina 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Catalina 34 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 Dufour 36 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Catalina 34 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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