Catalina 545 vs Dufour 520 Grand Large — Comparison
Catalina 545
Dufour 520 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 545 | Dufour 520 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 2014 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 16.46 m (54.0 ft) | 15.80 m (51.8 ft) |
| LWL | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 4.69 m (15.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 18,144 kg (40,001 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,804 kg (15,000 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) | 110.0 m² (1,184 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 110 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 605 L (159.8 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 545 and Dufour 520 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 545 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 520 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 545 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 520 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Catalina 545 measures 16.46m (54.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the Dufour 520 Grand Large at 15.80m (51.8ft) with a 4.69m beam. The Catalina 545 is 0.66m longer than the Dufour 520 Grand Large. The Catalina 545 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 545 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 120.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 520 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 18.79 and 110.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 520 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 545 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Dufour 520 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 545 and 31.7% for the Dufour 520 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 545 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 605L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The Dufour 520 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 550L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 545 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 520 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 Dufour 520 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.