2003 Dufour 34 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 29 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 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.20m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 30% 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 Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, 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 Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 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 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 Oceanis 38.1