Beneteau First 29 vs Dufour 375 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Dufour 375 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 240 L (63.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Dufour 375 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 375 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Dufour 375 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Dufour 375 Grand Large at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.65m beam. The Dufour 375 Grand Large is 2.48m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Dufour 375 Grand Large displaces approximately 119% 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 375 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.27 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 375 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 30.9% for the Dufour 375 Grand Large, 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 375 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 240L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 375 Grand Large 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 375 Grand Large 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: Beneteau First 29 · Dufour 375 Grand Large