1977 Cape Dory 22 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1977 Cape Dory 22
Dufour 310 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Cape Dory 22 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Dufour |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.2 m² (196 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Cape Dory 22 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 2.72m longer than the 1977 Cape Dory 22. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 281% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.48 and 18.2 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 1977 Cape Dory 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Cape Dory 22 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cape Dory 22 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 1977 Cape Dory 22 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.