1979 Peterson 44 vs Dufour 365 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Dufour 365 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Dufour |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2003–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Dufour 365 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Dufour 365 Grand Large at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 2.44m longer than the Dufour 365 Grand Large. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 365 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.50 and 57.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 365 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Dufour 365 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Dufour 365 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 365 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 1979 Peterson 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: 1979 Peterson 44 · Dufour 365 Grand Large