1968 Pearson 26 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1968 Pearson 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 26 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Dufour |
| Year | 1968–1975 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 26 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 26 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1968 Pearson 26 was penned by William Shaw. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 1.51m longer than the 1968 Pearson 26. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 103% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.06 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1968 Pearson 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1968 Pearson 26 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 26 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 1968 Pearson 26 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: 1968 Pearson 26 · Dufour 310 Grand Large