Bavaria 34 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 0.92m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 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 Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 80L 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 Bavaria 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 34 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: Bavaria 34 · Dufour 310 Grand Large