2003 Dufour 34 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 2.85m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 109% 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II