Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 1988 Najad 331 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 1988 Najad 331 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Najad |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.18 m (10.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 1988 Najad 331 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1988 Najad 331 is a 1980s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1988 Najad 331 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 1988 Najad 331 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.18m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.47m longer than the 1988 Najad 331. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 45% 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 1988 Najad 331, with an SA/D of 15.15 and 43.0 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 1988 Najad 331 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 40.8% for the 1988 Najad 331, 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 1988 Najad 331 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 140L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Najad 331 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Dufour 385 Grand Large · 1988 Najad 331