Dufour 36 Classic vs 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1982–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 2.64 m (8.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 30.5 m² (328 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.64m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 2.67m longer than the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 95% 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, with an SA/D of 14.35 and 30.5 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has a comfort ratio of 26.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 42.9% for the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 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 · 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27