Dufour 36 Classic vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 380 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 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 0.68m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 17% 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 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 380 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 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, 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 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 380 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 380 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.