Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 1995 Feeling 39 — Comparison
Dufour 385 Grand Large
1995 Feeling 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 1995 Feeling 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Feeling |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1995–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.78 m (12.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 1995 Feeling 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 1995 Feeling 39 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1995 Feeling 39 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 1995 Feeling 39 at 11.80m (38.7ft) with a 3.78m beam. The 1995 Feeling 39 is 0.27m longer than the Dufour 385 Grand Large. The 1995 Feeling 39 displaces approximately 10% 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 1995 Feeling 39, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1995 Feeling 39 has a comfort ratio of 18.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 38.5% for the 1995 Feeling 39, 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 1995 Feeling 39 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1995 Feeling 39 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 1995 Feeling 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.