Catalina 425 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Catalina 425
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Catalina 425 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Dufour |
| Year | 2013 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gerry Douglas | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.95 m (42.5 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,616 kg (21,200 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,719 kg (8,199 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 322 L (85.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Catalina 425 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Catalina 425 is a modern design by Catalina from USA, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Catalina 425 was penned by Gerry Douglas. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Catalina 425 measures 12.95m (42.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.25m longer than the Catalina 425. The Catalina 425 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Catalina 425 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.52 and 78.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Catalina 425 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the Catalina 425 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Catalina 425 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 322L of water capacity and 152L of fuel. The Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 425 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 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 44 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 425 · Dufour 44