Beneteau First 29 vs Dufour 32 Classic — Comparison
Beneteau First 29
Dufour 32 Classic
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Dufour 32 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1995–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Dufour 32 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Dufour 32 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Dufour 32 Classic at 9.70m (31.8ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 0.80m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 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 Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) 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 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L 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 Beneteau First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 32 Classic offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.