2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large
Catalina 385
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Catalina |
| Year | 2007–2012 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.12 m (36.5 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.01 m (13.2 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,000 kg (19,842 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 77.0 m² (829 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Catalina 385 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 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large is 1.04m longer than the Catalina 385. The 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large displaces approximately 10% 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 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the 2007 Dufour 425 Grand Large and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, 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 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L 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 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.