2003 Dufour 34 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dufour |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.23m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 29% 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Dufour 34 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L 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 2003 Dufour 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Dufour 34 · Dufour 385 Grand Large