Beneteau First 30 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 0.29m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 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 Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 Beneteau First 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 30 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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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 30 · Dufour 310 Grand Large