Catalina 36 MkII vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 0.56m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 36 MkII has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.35 and 56.5 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 36 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 36 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 95L 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 36 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 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 36 MkII 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 36 MkII · Dufour 385 Grand Large