2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2010–2014 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.17 m (43.2 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 54 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 measures 13.17m (43.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is 2.27m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 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
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Or view individual specs: 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 · Dufour 36 Classic