Dufour 36 Classic vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Ericson |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 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 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 0.68m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 21% 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 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 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 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.