Dufour 310 Grand Large vs Hunter 31 — Comparison
Hunter 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 310 Grand Large | Hunter 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Hunter |
| Year | 2015–2020 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Felci Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 310 Grand Large and Hunter 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern design by Dufour from France, while the Hunter 31 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was penned by Felci Yacht Design. The Hunter 31 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
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 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The Hunter 31 is 0.02m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The Dufour 310 Grand Large displaces approximately 2% 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 31, with an SA/D of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 31 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 31 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large and 38.9% for the Hunter 31, 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 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 31 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 31 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 31 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 · Hunter 31