Catalina 390 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 390 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.99m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 390 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.5 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 390 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 390 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 390 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: The Catalina 390 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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