Catalina 28 vs Dufour 32 Classic — Comparison
Catalina 28
Dufour 32 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 28 | Dufour 32 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1995–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 28 and Dufour 32 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 28 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 28 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 32 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 28 measures 8.69m (28.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Dufour 32 Classic at 9.70m (31.8ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 1.01m longer than the Catalina 28. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 28 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 32 Classic, with an SA/D of 16.78 and 45.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Dufour 32 Classic has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the Catalina 28 and 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 28 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Dufour 32 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 32 Classic 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 28 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.