1979 Islander 36 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Dufour 310 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Dufour |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The 1979 Islander 36 is 1.54m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1979 Islander 36 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 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 1979 Islander 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Dufour 310 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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 1979 Islander 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Islander 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.