2003 Dufour 34 vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2012–2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 12.43 m (40.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.89 m (35.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 at 12.43m (40.8ft) with a 3.99m beam. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 is 2.13m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 displaces approximately 55% 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 30.6% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41, 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 140L 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 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 · 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41