Catalina 28 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 28 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 28 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 28 is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 28 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Catalina 28 measures 8.69m (28.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 0.74m longer than the Catalina 28. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 48% 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 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 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 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the Catalina 28 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, 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 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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: The Catalina 28 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 28 · Dufour 310 Grand Large