Catalina 34 MkII vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 44 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 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 2.84m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 75% 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 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 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 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 44 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 44 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 34 MkII · Dufour 44