Catalina 34 MkII vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Catalina 34 MkII
Dufour 36 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, 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 Catalina 34 MkII. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 34 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 52.0 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 Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 34 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 34 MkII provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 34 MkII 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.