Catalina 42 MkII vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 42 MkII | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 2003–2009 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 42 MkII and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 42 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 385 Grand Large 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 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.27m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 34% 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 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 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 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 42 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 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 42 MkII · Dufour 385 Grand Large