1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
1993 Beneteau First 42
Dufour 385 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Dufour 385 Grand Large 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 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.24m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 25% 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 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 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 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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.