Dufour 36 Classic vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 450 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 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Hunter 450 is 2.82m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 76% 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 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 450 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 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L 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 450 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 450 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 450