Dufour 36 Classic vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| 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 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the Hunter 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 2.37m longer than the Hunter 280. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 140% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 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 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 280 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 · Hunter 280