Dufour 310 Grand Large vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Westerly |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
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 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.32m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 20% 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 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, 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 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 310 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 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 Westerly Fulmar