2003 Dufour 34 vs 2000 Najad 355 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2000 Najad 355 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2000–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 10.72 m (35.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2000 Najad 355 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2000 Najad 355 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2000 Najad 355 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2000 Najad 355 at 10.72m (35.2ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 2000 Najad 355 is 0.42m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2000 Najad 355 displaces approximately 9% 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 2000 Najad 355, with an SA/D of 15.69 and 51.0 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 2000 Najad 355 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 40.0% for the 2000 Najad 355, 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 2000 Najad 355 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Najad 355 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 · 2000 Najad 355