Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2017 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.07m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 72% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Dufour 310 Grand Large