Jeanneau 410 or Catalina 425

[TheWildDingo]

I don’t want to get into one of those long discussions of Coastal vs Bluewater boats, but am considering sailing US East Coast (Florida) to Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean, ABCs. Atlantic hoping may occur one day, but that is a ways off (if at all).

Choice of vessel would be likely Jeanneau 410 or Catalina 425 (shoal keel), nothing more than 10 years old, for a solo traveler or couple.

Of the two, the Catalina seems to be a more solidly built boat, and seems to have been designed for ease of maintenance. The “Catalina smile” which I understand can occur on any boat that is grounded, seems to be a thing of the past in so much that 1980s Catalina's were designed with wood in the keel stub, which rotted through over time.

Are my assumptions correct for my use case? Is the Catalina a slight step above the Jeanneau in quality?

How do both boats compare in performance and ease of sailing, in both coastal and open water?

Cheers!

[glanrock]

We looked at both of those boats a lot while searching for our next boat several years ago. I liked the looks of both. I think you would be good to go with either. My personal opinion was the Jeanneau 410 seemed to lack storage space compared to the others we looked at.

Good luck in your search!

[Coach Shoe]

I have never sailed the Jenneau 410… the "IKEA" interior was a turn off.
I have a 2019 Catalina 425 (which is my tenth boat). In 2020, I did a blue water sail of just over 1900 miles in her and she performed admirably. I chose the 425 because she is so easy to sail short handed and so easy to maintain…. The systems layout is incredible. I'm turning 81 this month and this may be my best boat ever.

[TheWildDingo]

Originally Posted by Coach Shoe

I have never sailed the Jenneau 410… the "IKEA" interior was a turn off.
I have a 2019 Catalina 425 (which is my tenth boat). In 2020, I did a blue water sail of just over 1900 miles in her and she performed admirably. I chose the 425 because she is so easy to sail short handed and so easy to maintain…. The systems layout is incredible. I'm turning 81 this month and this may be my best boat ever.

This is good to know. I've had my eye on the latest Catalina 425, being conveniently built in Florida. She looks like a great boat which is well laid out.

I've also started following this young couple (Sailing Post Time) on Youtube who just purchased an older Catalina 42 - they are currently sailing San Fran to Hawaii.

Cheers.

[MicHughV]

I gotta go with the Catalina....I think they make fine boats.
Wouldn't hesitate to take one of those anywhere.
I've never owned one, but sailed on plenty and always liked them.

[Greatest Lakes]

I've been on both. I'd go with the Catalina. Catalina is easier to work with as a company if you need something, hull qualities are similar, maybe a little better on the catalina, the interior is much easier to maintain on the catalina, particularly the way the ceilings are. Both are comfortable, but the cockpit in the catalina has slightly taller coamings, which makes for a much more comfortable ride if outside for several hours. Easier to install a dodger on as well. Something to be said for still having a traveller on the catalina too.

[BMD21]

I'd be careful about wanting that shoal keel. About 40 years ago, I put a shoal keel on a Catalina 25; still trying to figure out why. Found out that it cut down on the ability to sail close hauled. Also rolled more when anchored. I think those are only problems in blue water, though. Also that was 40 years ago.


I bought a Catalina 36 for sailing to the South Pacific. Afterwards spent a couple of years on the East Coast, with the 6' draft. Went around Florida, to the Bahamas and up the ICW. Worked out well, but you needed to think abut where you were going.


Met another guy named Boris, same as my name, from Finland whilst I was on the ICW. I told him our boat had a 6" draft, he one-upped me by replying his had a 7' draft. I assume that was to cross the Atlantic. You need a deep keel to cross an ocean. The Caribbean isn't a ocean so you can get away with a shoal draft there.


BTW, I think Catalinas are awesome. Never regretted the ones I bought.



Boris

[Coach Shoe]

Re: “You need a deep keel to cross an ocean.”
I thought you might be my sister….. she starts most statements with “you need”. 😊
Accurately, you don’t NEED a deep keel; they do have an advantage by pointing a little closer to the wind while on a beat to weather. They also may be easier to break free when that unfortunate grounding occurs. But, that shallower draft May just keep you from running aground. Cheers!

[gr8trn]

Originally Posted by Coach Shoe

Re: “You need a deep keel to cross an ocean.”
I thought you might be my sister….. she starts most statements with “you need”. 😊
Accurately, you don’t NEED a deep keel; they do have an advantage by pointing a little closer to the wind while on a beat to weather. They also may be easier to break free when that unfortunate grounding occurs. But, that shallower draft May just keep you from running aground. Cheers!

What draft do you have on your 425?

[donradcliffe]

I don't know about newer Catalinas, but I do know you will be disappointed with the build of a newer Jeanneau 410. Too much Ikea pressboard.

[S/V Illusion]

The only real difference in these 2 boats is personal preference. Nothing substantive in terms of design or construction exists. They are what they are - decent mid-level cost boats.

If buying used, I’d be more concerned with maintenance history and upgrades, sail condition and location than what the nameplate says.

[Coach Shoe]

I suppose my criteria for selecting the Catalina 425 over similar sized European craft could be "personal preference", but in my mind it is quantifiable. The 425 has a forward water-tight crash bulkhead, a lead rather than cast iron keel, a shaft drive propulsion system rather than a problematic sail drive, and a dual helm, center-line rudder that is protected by the keel. And admittedly, somewhat subjectively, I appreciate the interior that is trimmed in hardwoods. Also of major importance to me was the thoughtful design features that ease access for maintenance.
I bought the shoal draft keel (4'-11" draft) to cruise the islands with my wife. If my objective was to race, I would have bought a boat with different features.

[Thonglor]

Just for clarification: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 also has a shaft drive propulsion system and a dual helm, however with double rudders.

[Jimbo2010]

the 410 has lower phrf rating then the 425, 93 vs 105.

That's 12 seconds a mile

Cruising faster is a factor on long passage, it also indicates better design

Also the walk around cockpit on the 410 is fantastic and a safety factor as well.

The twin rudders are an insurance, most if not all the around the globe racers have them

[ohdrinkboy]

I would lean to the 410. Much is just personal preference. Both can do what you want.