Dufour 36 Classic vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 36 Classic | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Elan |
| Year | 1996–2003 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 110 L (29.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 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 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Dufour 36 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the Dufour 36 Classic measures 10.90m (35.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.50m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 2.95m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 65% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 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 · 2016 Elan GT5