Catalina 34 MkII vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Catalina 34 MkII
Dufour 385 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 385 Grand Large 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 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.17m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 30% 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 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 34 MkII 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 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L 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 Catalina 34 MkII 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.