Dufour 310 Grand Large vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Cal |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Dufour 310 Grand Large measures 9.43m (30.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.13m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 2.46m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 97% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 310 Grand Large has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 Cal 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 310 Grand Large offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 310 Grand Large provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 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 1979 Cal 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Cal 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Dufour 310 Grand Large · 1979 Cal 39