1985 Beneteau First 285 vs Dufour 32 Classic — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
Dufour 32 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | Dufour 32 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1995–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and Dufour 32 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The Dufour 32 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Dufour 32 Classic at 9.70m (31.8ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 1.05m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 32 Classic, with an SA/D of 16.78 and 45.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Dufour 32 Classic has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Dufour 32 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 32 Classic 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 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.