1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.08m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Dufour 385 Grand Large