Catalina 34 MkII vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 34 MkII | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2004 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 34 MkII and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 34 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Catalina 34 MkII measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Catalina 34 MkII is 0.93m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The Catalina 34 MkII displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 34 MkII has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 34 MkII has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 34 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 34 MkII provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 Catalina 34 MkII 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 34 MkII 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
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Or view individual specs: Catalina 34 MkII · Dufour 310 Grand Large