Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Pearson |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 1984 Pearson 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1984 Pearson 34 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.17m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 385 Grand Large has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.05 and 62.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 385 Grand Large has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 385 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 385 Grand Large provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1984 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 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 Dufour 385 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 385 Grand Large · 1984 Pearson 34