Catalina 390 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 390 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 390 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 390 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 390 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 385 Grand Large 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 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Catalina 390 is 0.36m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 16% 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 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 385 Grand Large 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 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 39.6% for the Catalina 390 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L 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 385 Grand Large 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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Or view individual specs: Catalina 390 · Dufour 385 Grand Large