Catalina 42 MkII vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 42 MkII measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.90m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 42 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 42 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 42 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 152L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 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 42 MkII 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 42 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 42 MkII · Dufour 36 Classic