1972 Islander 24 vs Dufour 32 Classic — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | Dufour 32 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Dufour |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 1995–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and Dufour 32 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Dufour 32 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the Dufour 32 Classic at 9.70m (31.8ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 2.38m longer than the 1972 Islander 24. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 183% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 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 1972 Islander 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Dufour 32 Classic has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Dufour 32 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Islander 24 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 1972 Islander 24 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 32 Classic 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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