Dufour 36 Classic vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dufour |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 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 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 2.30m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 53% 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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Dufour 44 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 44 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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