Beneteau First 30 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Dufour 36 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 1.76m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 72% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 Beneteau First 30 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.