Beneteau First 30 vs Dufour 365 Grand Large — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Dufour 365 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Dufour 365 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2003–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.52 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) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Dufour 365 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Dufour 365 Grand Large 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 365 Grand Large at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is 1.83m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Dufour 365 Grand Large displaces approximately 69% 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 365 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.50 and 57.5 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 365 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large, 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 365 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 120L 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.