1980 Peterson 34 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Dufour |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.17m longer than the 1980 Peterson 34. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The Dufour 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 34 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 1980 Peterson 34 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1980 Peterson 34 · Dufour 385 Grand Large