Dufour 310 Grand Large vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Dufour 310 Grand Large measures 9.43m (30.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.13m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is 1.20m longer than the Hunter 27. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 66% 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 Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 27 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 Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, 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 Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 310 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 27 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: Dufour 310 Grand Large · Hunter 27