Catalina 36 MkII vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 40 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 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 1.08m longer than the Catalina 36 MkII. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 19% 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 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Catalina 36 MkII · Dufour 40