2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large
Catalina 42 MkII
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.12 m (36.5 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.01 m (13.2 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,000 kg (19,842 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 77.0 m² (829 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.01m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 0.03m longer than the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.08 and 77.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L 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 2007 Dufour 425 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 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.