1997 Dufour 30 Classic vs 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 — Comparison
1997 Dufour 30 Classic
1990 Pacific Seacraft 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Dufour 30 Classic | 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1990–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 51.5 m² (554 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is a 1990s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic measures 9.15m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is 1.21m longer than the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.69 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34, with an SA/D of 15.26 and 51.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1997 Dufour 30 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has a comfort ratio of 27.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 36.8% for the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic and 42.9% for the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Dufour 30 Classic provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 90L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 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 1997 Dufour 30 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.