1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Ericson |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is 1.53m longer than the 1975 Ericson 25+. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic displaces approximately 99% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1997 Dufour 30 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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Or view individual specs: 1997 Dufour 30 Classic · 1975 Ericson 25+