1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is 1.53m longer than the Catalina 250. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic displaces approximately 139% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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