1998 Hunter 340 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1998 Hunter 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Hunter 340 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Hunter 340 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Hunter 340 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1998 Hunter 340 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1998 Hunter 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The 1998 Hunter 340 is 0.93m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1998 Hunter 340 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Hunter 340 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 51.1 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 1998 Hunter 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Hunter 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Hunter 340 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Hunter 340 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L 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 1998 Hunter 340 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Hunter 340 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: 1998 Hunter 340 · Dufour 310 Grand Large