Dufour 36 Classic vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 306 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 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Dufour 36 Classic is 1.65m longer than the Hunter 306. The Dufour 36 Classic displaces approximately 55% 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 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 306 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 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 306 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.