Dufour 32 Classic vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 32 Classic | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1995–2002 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 32 Classic and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The Dufour 32 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the Dufour 32 Classic measures 9.70m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is 0.51m longer than the Dufour 32 Classic. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur displaces approximately 21% 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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