2003 Dufour 34 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 2003 Dufour 34 is 2.11m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 129% 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 Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 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 Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, 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 Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dufour 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 Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Dufour 34 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 · Beneteau First 27