Dufour 36 Classic vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cal |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 0.99m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 32% 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 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, 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 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 1979 Cal 39 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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