1973 Islander 37 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Dufour |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 1.92m longer than the 1973 Islander 37. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 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 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 44 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: 1973 Islander 37 · Dufour 44