Dufour 365 Grand Large vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 365 Grand Large | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 57 L (15.1 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 Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Dufour 365 Grand Large measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.52m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is 1.72m longer than the Hunter 306. The Dufour 365 Grand Large displaces approximately 53% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 365 Grand Large · Hunter 306