1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.39m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · Dufour 385 Grand Large