2003 Dufour 34 vs 1988 Moody 36 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
1988 Moody 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 1988 Moody 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Moody |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1988–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,700 kg (5,952 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 1988 Moody 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1988 Moody 36 is a 1980s offering from Moody from UK. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1988 Moody 36 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 1988 Moody 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1988 Moody 36 is 0.67m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 1988 Moody 36 displaces approximately 24% 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 1988 Moody 36, with an SA/D of 15.29 and 54.0 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 1988 Moody 36 has a comfort ratio of 20.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 39.7% for the 1988 Moody 36, 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 1988 Moody 36 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Moody 36 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: The 1988 Moody 36 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · 1988 Moody 36