Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Catalina |
| Year | 2019 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 was penned by Philippe Briand. The Catalina 385 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 measures 14.20m (46.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the Catalina 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is 2.47m longer than the Catalina 385. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 88.0 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 Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 provides 12 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L 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 Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 · Catalina 385