2003 Dufour 34 vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Ericson |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 2003 Dufour 34 is 0.55m longer than the 1972 Ericson 32. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2003 Dufour 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 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 2003 Dufour 34 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · 1972 Ericson 32