Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
Dufour 385 Grand Large
1987 Cape Dory 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is 0.66m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 displaces approximately 21% 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 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, 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 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.