Dufour 32 Classic vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
Dufour 32 Classic
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 32 Classic | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Ericson |
| Year | 1995–2002 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 32 Classic and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Dufour 32 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Dufour 32 Classic measures 9.70m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 0.86m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 32 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 45.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 32 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 32 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 32 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 Dufour 32 Classic 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.