1984 MacGregor 26 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Dufour |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 1.63m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 316% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 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 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 1984 MacGregor 26 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 MacGregor 26 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: 1984 MacGregor 26 · Dufour 310 Grand Large