Dufour 36 Classic vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 2.67m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 128% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 36 Classic has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Dufour 36 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 36 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 36 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 110L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 36 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 36 Classic 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: Dufour 36 Classic · 1978 Cape Dory 270