1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Catalina 36 MkII 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 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 1.82m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 73% 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 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, 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 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic 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 36 MkII 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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Or view individual specs: 1997 Dufour 30 Classic · Catalina 36 MkII