Dufour 365 Grand Large vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 365 Grand Large | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.72 m (31.9 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 57.5 m² (619 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 210 L (55.5 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 365 Grand Large and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 365 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 365 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 450 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 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Hunter 450 is 2.75m longer than the Dufour 365 Grand Large. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 78% 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 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 450 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 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 365 Grand Large and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 365 Grand Large 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 Hunter 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 450 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: Dufour 365 Grand Large · Hunter 450