Dufour 310 Grand Large vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Dufour 310 Grand Large measures 9.43m (30.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.13m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 1.20m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 310 Grand Large has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Dufour 310 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 310 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 310 Grand Large provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large 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: Dufour 310 Grand Large · 1978 Cape Dory 270