2003 Dufour 34 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 1.28m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 32% 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 Hunter 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 380 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 Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, 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 Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 Hunter 380 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 380 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 · Hunter 380