Dufour 310 Grand Large vs 1983 Irwin 32 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | 1983 Irwin 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Irwin |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 1983–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Ted Irwin |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and 1983 Irwin 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1983 Irwin 32 is a 1980s offering from Irwin from USA. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1983 Irwin 32 was designed by Ted Irwin.
In terms of size, the Dufour 310 Grand Large measures 9.43m (30.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.13m, compared to the 1983 Irwin 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1983 Irwin 32 is 0.32m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1983 Irwin 32 displaces approximately 20% 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 1983 Irwin 32, with an SA/D of 14.27 and 41.0 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 1983 Irwin 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 40.9% for the 1983 Irwin 32, 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 1983 Irwin 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Irwin 32 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: The 1983 Irwin 32 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: Dufour 310 Grand Large · 1983 Irwin 32