Dufour 385 Grand Large vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
Dufour 385 Grand Large
2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 385 Grand Large | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Beneteau |
| Year | 2006–2010 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 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) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 385 Grand Large and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was penned by Umberto Felci. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Dufour 385 Grand Large measures 11.53m (37.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.68m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.09m longer than the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 28% 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 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.