1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 1.22m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · Dufour 36 Classic