Dufour 365 Grand Large vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
Dufour 365 Grand Large
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 365 Grand Large | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Pearson |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 365 Grand Large and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Dufour 365 Grand Large measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.52m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is 1.52m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The Dufour 365 Grand Large displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 365 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.50 and 57.5 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 365 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 365 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 365 Grand Large provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 Dufour 365 Grand Large 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.