2003 Dufour 34 vs 1984 O'Day 30 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 1984 O'Day 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | O'Day |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1984–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 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) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,452 kg (3,201 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 1984 O'Day 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1984 O'Day 30 is a 1980s offering from O'Day from USA. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1984 O'Day 30 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 1984 O'Day 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 2003 Dufour 34 is 1.16m longer than the 1984 O'Day 30. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 52% 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 1984 O'Day 30, with an SA/D of 15.49 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1984 O'Day 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 40.0% for the 1984 O'Day 30, 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 1984 O'Day 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 O'Day 30 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 · 1984 O'Day 30