Dufour 385 Grand Large vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 0.71m longer than the Hunter 36. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 20% 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 Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 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 Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, 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 Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 385 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 Hunter 36 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 · Hunter 36