1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs Catalina 315 — Comparison
Catalina 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | Catalina 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Catalina |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and Catalina 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Catalina 315 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Catalina 315 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 315 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Catalina 315 is 0.30m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The Catalina 315 displaces approximately 19% 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 315, with an SA/D of 16.32 and 44.0 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 315 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 40.0% for the Catalina 315, 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 315 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 315