Dufour 36 Classic vs 2004 Najad 405 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2004 Najad 405 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2004–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 12.40 m (40.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.82 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and 2004 Najad 405 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2004 Najad 405 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2004 Najad 405 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2004 Najad 405 at 12.40m (40.7ft) with a 3.82m beam. The 2004 Najad 405 is 1.50m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2004 Najad 405 displaces approximately 48% 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 2004 Najad 405, with an SA/D of 16.89 and 73.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 36 Classic 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 2004 Najad 405 has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 39.1% for the 2004 Najad 405, 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 2004 Najad 405 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Najad 405 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 Dufour 36 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2004 Najad 405 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 · 2004 Najad 405