2003 Dufour 34 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 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 | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 is 0.70m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The 2003 Dufour 34 displaces approximately 15% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Dufour 34 · 2015 ClubSwan 36