Catalina 34 MkII vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 40 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 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 1.69m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 43% 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 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 40 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 40 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 40