1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 1990 Valiant 39 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 1990 Valiant 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Valiant |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1990–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 3,447 kg (7,599 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 1990 Valiant 39 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1990 Valiant 39 is a 1990s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1990 Valiant 39 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1990 Valiant 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1990 Valiant 39 is 2.74m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 1990 Valiant 39 displaces approximately 127% 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 1990 Valiant 39, with an SA/D of 15.95 and 66.0 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 1990 Valiant 39 has a comfort ratio of 23.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 40.0% for the 1990 Valiant 39, 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 1990 Valiant 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Valiant 39 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 1990 Valiant 39 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 · 1990 Valiant 39