2003 Dufour 34 vs 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is 1.89m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 m² of sail area. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7, with an SA/D of 20.49 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dufour 34 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 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · 2002 Beneteau First 40.7