Dufour 36 Classic vs Dufour 382 Grand Large — Comparison
Dufour 36 Classic
Dufour 382 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | Dufour 382 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Dufour |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 36 Classic and Dufour 382 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the Dufour 382 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The Dufour 382 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the Dufour 382 Grand Large at 11.55m (37.9ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Dufour 382 Grand Large is 0.65m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Dufour 382 Grand Large displaces approximately 16% 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 382 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 382 Grand Large 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 382 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 30.6% for the Dufour 382 Grand Large, 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 382 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L 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 382 Grand Large 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.