2003 Dufour 34 vs Hanse 315 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Hanse 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Hanse 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hanse |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2010–2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 8.55 m (28.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 41.5 m² (447 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 85 L (22.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Hanse 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hanse 315 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hanse 315 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Hanse 315 at 9.65m (31.7ft) with a 3.15m beam. The 2003 Dufour 34 is 0.65m longer than the Hanse 315. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 31% 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 Hanse 315, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 41.5 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 Hanse 315 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 28.6% for the Hanse 315, 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 Hanse 315 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 85L 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 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 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.