Catalina 270 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Catalina 270
Dufour 36 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 270 measures 8.31m (27.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 2.59m longer than the Catalina 270. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 168% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 270 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.01 and 31.0 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 Catalina 270 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 270 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 270 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 270 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 36 Classic offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.