Catalina 36 MkII vs Dufour 32 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 36 MkII | Dufour 32 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2006 | 1995–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 36 MkII and Dufour 32 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 36 MkII was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 32 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 36 MkII measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Dufour 32 Classic at 9.70m (31.8ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 1.27m longer than the Dufour 32 Classic. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 46% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 36 MkII has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.35 and 56.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 32 Classic, with an SA/D of 16.78 and 45.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 32 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 36 MkII offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Dufour 32 Classic has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII and 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 36 MkII provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Dufour 32 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 32 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 Dufour 32 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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