Dufour 36 Classic vs Hunter 33 — Comparison
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Hunter 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Hunter 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 33 is a 1980s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 33 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the Hunter 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 0.84m longer than the Hunter 33. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 30% 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 Hunter 33, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 33 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 Hunter 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 38.1% for the Hunter 33, 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 Hunter 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 33 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 Hunter 33 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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Or view individual specs: Dufour 36 Classic · Hunter 33