Beneteau First 35 vs Dufour 375 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Dufour 375 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.05 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.65 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,800 kg (14,991 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 240 L (63.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Dufour 375 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 375 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 375 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Dufour 375 Grand Large at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.65m beam. The Dufour 375 Grand Large is 0.70m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Dufour 375 Grand Large displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 375 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.27 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 375 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 30.9% for the Dufour 375 Grand Large, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Dufour 375 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 240L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 375 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 Beneteau First 35 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 35 · Dufour 375 Grand Large