Catalina 385 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 385 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 2006–2014 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 242 L (63.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 385 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 385 is a 2000s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 385 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 385 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Catalina 385 is 0.20m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The Catalina 385 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 385 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.29 and 65.0 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 385 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) 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 38.9% for the Catalina 385 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 385 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L of water capacity and 114L 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 385 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 385 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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