1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.87m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Dufour 36 Classic