Catalina 270 vs Dufour 365 Grand Large — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 270 | Dufour 365 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 2003–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.52 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) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 270 and Dufour 365 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 270 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 270 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 365 Grand Large 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 365 Grand Large at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is 2.66m longer than the Catalina 270. The Dufour 365 Grand Large displaces approximately 164% 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 365 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.50 and 57.5 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 365 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Catalina 270 and 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large, 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 365 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 365 Grand Large 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 365 Grand Large 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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Or view individual specs: Catalina 270 · Dufour 365 Grand Large