2003 Dufour 34 vs Beneteau First 36.7 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Beneteau First 36.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2002–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 29 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 Beneteau First 36.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Beneteau First 36.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
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 36.7 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.58m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 0.95m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Beneteau First 36.7 displaces approximately 5% 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 36.7, with an SA/D of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 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 36.7 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7, 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 36.7 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L 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 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 36.7 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 36.7